It seems unlikely the Ball State University baseball team will start a series with a Mid-American Conference opponent that played a game more diametrically opposite than its own previous game than it will this weekend with the University at Buffalo.
The Cardinals (12-12, 3-2 MAC) lost a 5-4 pitchers' duel at the University of Louisville on Wednesday. The game with a Big East opponent wasn't decided until the 12th inning. Buffalo (10-15, 1-5 MAC), meanwhile, put a 35-5 beatdown on Hilbert College in their home opener. They could have called the game against the Division III school after the first inning, when Buffalo scored 17 runs on 14 hits and left the bases loaded.
The third MAC series of the year for both Buffalo and Ball State promises to be better than the last game at Amherst Audubon Field.
"They're good enough to beat us," coach Greg Beals said. "We have to make sure we don't allow that to happen."
The Cardinals have won all three previous games, sweeping the Bulls at home last season. In a rebuilding phase this season, Buffalo has struggled this season against quality competition, with an RPI of 267 and the 247th strongest schedule in the country according to Boyd's World.
Before beating Hilbert, the Bulls had dropped six of their last seven games, but beat Central Michigan University 6-1 on the road for their first MAC win.
They are led on the mound by starting pitcher Pierre Miville-Deschenes, who has twice been named MAC East Pitcher of the Week. The junior is 3-1 with a 4.15 ERA in six starts.
In the bullpen, senior Zach Anderson is 2-3 with one save in 11 appearances. Freshman River McWilliams is second on the team with nine appearances and a 2-1 record.
At the plate senior outfielder Chris Ciesla leads the way with a .343 batting average and .535 slugging percentage.
The Cardinals have dropped six of their last nine games, but haven't lost a series since visiting the University of Missouri at the beginning of March. On weekends Ball State has gotten solid starts out of junior Brad Piatt and sophomore Kolbrin Vitek. Senior Brenden Stines had struggled early in the season, but pitched well enough to defeat conference-favorite Kent State University on Saturday for Beals' 200th career victory.
Junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker was named MAC West Player of the Week on Monday for the third time this season. He has a team high .441 batting average, 14 stolen bases and four triples. Vitek, who also plays third base, leads the way with a .660 slugging percentage and 26 RBIs, in addition to his .361 batting average.
Beals said if his team is to be successful this weekend, it will have to be ready to play.
"We have to approach these games just like Kent State," Beals said. "That team is a MAC opponent and a win or loss weighs the same as any other."
Ball State at BuffaloGame No. 25First pitch: 3 p.m.Amherst Audubon FieldProjected pitching matchup: RHP Brad Piatt (4-0, 2.56 ERA) vs. TBAWeather: 53 degrees, rain/thunder, from east 12 mph
Ball State at BuffaloGame No. 26First pitch: 1 p.m.Amherst Audubon FieldProjected pitching matchup: RHP Brenden Stines (1-3, 4.01) vs. TBAWeather: 42 degrees, showers/wind, from west 24 mph
Ball State at BuffaloGame No. 27First pitch: 1 p.m.Amherst Audubon FieldProjected pitching matchup: RHP Kolbrin Vitek (2-1, 3.33) vs. TBAWeather: 51 degrees, mostly cloudy, from WSW 8 mph
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