In a long season nearing its end, a long road trip after a doubleheader can be a worry for Ball State (32-12, 10-2), who are trying to continue a seven-game win streak as the Mid-American Conference tournament nears.
But it's something that doesn't bother coach Craig Nicholson because of the way the weekend is scheduled.
Ball State travels to Kent State (25-21, 10-4) for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Friday but has to continue its trip to Buffalo (14-23, 4-9) for a two game series Saturday and Sunday. Nicholson said because the doubleheader is at Kent State instead of Buffalo, the team should be able to handle the drive.
"The long part is after we're done playing," Nicholson said. "This direction with playing Kent [State] first, I don't think it really has a big effect. The thing for us is we haven't really been on the road for a little while here other than Miami which is obviously a short trip."
Sophomore first baseman Taylor Rager said the travel doesn't really affect the team at all.
"We traveled all season, I don't think it's any different," Rager said. "If anything, it gives us more time to think about the next game and get ready."
Ball State is looking to close out the season and try and boost its RPI ranking high enough to try and qualify outright. But Nicholson said it will take moving up to between 50 and 55 for a chance.
"Where we're at right now, I think we're going to have to win the [MAC] tournament," Nicholson said.
Nicholson said matching up with Kent State will be different than the speed Ball State has faced in recent weeks. The smaller ballpark plays into more power, which is a strength of the Ball State lineup as they continue to chase Kent State's 2010 record for home runs in a season with 55.
"Balls tend to fly out of there and it is small," Nicholson said. "Obviously depending on which way the wind is blowing, it might make it smaller, it might make it a little bit bigger. It is something we definitely have the ability to take advantage of."
Nicholson said keeping his team focused heading to the MAC tournament hasn't been hard.
"I think that's easy right now because we're chasing a championship," he said. "Our kids understand that those games are going to be big so I think we are ready to go."
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