After dropping all three mid-week games this week, the Ball State University softball team hopes to bounce back in its last full weekend of Mid-American Conference play.
Ball State travels to the University of Akron for a doubleheader today and then to Ohio University Saturday and Sunday. Akron (27-19, 8-7 MAC) is one-half game ahead of Ohio (19-18, 9-7 MAC) for third place in the MAC-East.
"They are two pretty good teams," Nicholson said. "They are right in the middle of the race in the MAC, so this is a big weekend for them. We're going to have to play hard."
Today's games will feature both MAC players of the week, Amanda Montalto from Ball State and Paige Kemezis from Ohio. The freshman Montalto hit a pair of home runs last weekend and had seven RBIs. Kemezis had three extra base hits and drove in four runs last weekend to earn the honor.
In four games last weekend, the Bobcats had 48 hits and 25 runs.
The biggest story of Saturday and Sunday's games against Akron will likely be stolen bases. Akron has the No. 1 and 4 base stealers in the MAC, while Ball State boats the No. 2, Lisa Rozanski and No. 3, Alicia Barkley.
Nicholson said putting a lid on Akron's running game is something the Cardinals will try to do but is not a top priority.
"We're not putting a whole lot of emphasis on it," Nicholson said. "It's nothing we haven't seen before. I think we have the capability to shut down the running game."
If Ball State is going to be able to shut down the running game, it will have to be done from the arm of senior catcher Natalie Bejarano and the glove of Barkley, the shortstop. Bejarano has 11 pick offs on the season.
Rozanski enters the weekend with 70 stolen bases in her two-year career at Ball State, which ties the career record.
Ball State comes into the weekend with an increase in power. Prior to Spring Break, only one Cardinal had hit a home run. Since then four more players have hit home runs. Nicholson said he is not very surprised at the increase in power.
"Some of it is a natural progress you make through the course of the season," Nicholson said. "I think our hitters, for a big part, are getting better. I think a little of it is a confidence thing. All that goes together and you see more girls hitting home runs."
Ball State is looking to bounce back from a 0-3 mid-week roadtrip to Morehead State University and Indiana University Tuesday and Wednesday. Nicholson said he is confident his team will bounce back from the losses in a good way.
"They're fine," Nicholson said. "They understand what's important, which is the conference games this weekend."
The first pitch today is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the second game to follow 30 minutes after its conclusion. Saturday's game will start at 2 p.m. and Sunday's at 1 p.m.
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