Ball State finds itself in a familiar situation: playing teams at the bottom of the Mid-American Conference.
Ball State travels to Toledo (8-31) and Bowling Green (7-29) this weekend looking to improve its 10-3 Mid-American Conference record.
Despite the teams' records, senior first baseman Kristy Stratton said both teams will bring its best this weekend.
"I expect to see a lot of fight from both teams," Stratton said. "They really have nothing to lose at this point so they are going to play their hardest and give it their best."
Some of the players that could give Ball State problems this weekend is Toledo sophomore right fielder Lindsey Tobias and Bowling Green sophomore first baseman Paige Berger. On the season, Tobias is hitting .327 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs while Berger is hitting .317 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs of her own.
Ball State, however, has home run hitters of its own in freshman designated hitter Jennifer Gilbert and junior catcher Amanda Montalto.
For the season, both Gilbert and Montalto lead Ball State with nine home runs a piece.
Coach Craig Nicholson said the key to Ball State's success at the plate is patience.
"Offensively, we need to be patient and get quality pitches to hit," Nicholson said. "If we force their pitchers to work in the strike zone we should have success at the plate this weekend."
Ball State begins its Ohio road trip Friday with a doubleheader against Toledo. First pitches are at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.
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