Since its departure from the NCAA Tournament last season, Ball State has been on a quest to return to the big dance.
However, during its road match-up with Bowling Green this past weekend, Ball State hit a speed bump when it lost first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division and the overall conference due to two extra inning losses to the Falcons.
Coach Craig Nicholson said Ball State didn't play poorly in its heartbreaking losses. It was just superior play by Bowling Green.
"I'm not sure we had any real issues," Nicholson said. "We ran into a team that played way over their heads for a series and lost two close games. We did contribute to that a little bit, but I don't believe we played poorly."
Despite the losses, Ball State heads into its weekend match-ups with Western Michigan and Northern Illinois with control of its own destiny. If Ball State wins all four games, it will win the MAC West Division title, MAC regular season title and clinch a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
Western Michigan senior Lexi Jager and Northern Illinois freshman Stephanie Tofft, however, may give Ball State problems in its quest for the top spot in the conference. On the season, Jager is hitting .333 with five home runs and 25 RBIs while Tofft is hitting an incredible .444 with four home runs and 35 RBIs.
Nicholson said despite Ball State's surprising losses to Bowling Green last weekend, Ball State will be ready to play in its big games this weekend.
"We understand that we let some things slip away last weekend," Nicholson said. "But I believe we have a group of young ladies that will show up ready to fight this weekend. We understand that we control our own destiny, and heading into the last weekend in this conference, that is really all you can ask for."
Ball State begins its quest for top spot in the MAC Friday when it plays at home in a doubleheader against MAC West leader Western Michigan. First pitch is at 1 p.m.
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