Two freshmen made their collegiate debuts for Ball State baseball (25-17, 10-5 MAC) in the 13-1 victory over Northern Kentucky (15-27, 4-15 Horizon League) April 26.
Maverick Bacon got his first start as designated hitter, and Nick Floyd entered the game at pitcher in the sixth inning.
Head coach Rich Maloney was impressed with what he saw from the two freshmen in the big win.
“It was very good to see Floyd get his first time to pitch at the collegiate level. He did a nice job,” he said. “Bacon got a hit and an RBI in his first time being a starter, so it is very encouraging.”
After flying out to left field in the bottom of the second inning, Bacon earned his first college hit and RBI with a grounder through the middle of the infield, scoring Ryan Spaulding in a six-run bottom of the fourth for the Cardinals. Bacon went 1-4 with a walk in the game.
Floyd entered the game in the top of the sixth inning after a 30-minute lightning delay. The right-handed pitcher threw for two innings, giving up one hit, one walk and no runs before he surrendered the ball to David Current and Evan Marquardt to close the game out.
Floyd may have been lucky to see the field at all this season for Ball State. Maloney said the coaching staff debated redshirting Floyd but ultimately felt he was ready to go, so they put him in.
With 14 regular season games left before the Mid-American Conference Tournament play, Maloney said the only thing he and his team can do is take it one game at a time.
The Cardinals will be back in action April 29 as they continue MAC play against the Buffalo Bulls.
