Ball State defeats Akron, clinches MAC Tournament berth

By Zach Carter / April 30, 2023

In the middle of its season, Ball State softball was in a slump and sat in seventh place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). To make the tournament, you have to be in the top four. Cardinal fans might have wondered, can this team pull themselves out of their funk? This weekend, that question was answered. After bouncing back and defeating Akron in their final regular season series, the Cardinals clinched a tournament berth.

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WOMEN'S TENNIS

Cardinals win third-consecutive MAC Championship

By Caleb Zuver / April 30, 2023

Ball State (22-3, 9-1 MAC) is headed to the NCAA tournament for the third-straight season after defeating the Toledo Rockets (20-4, 10-0 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship Sunday. "It’s incredible. I’ve never been in this position before,” freshman Annika Planinsek said after the match. “It feels surreal, I can’t even process it right now. It’s an incredible feeling.”

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BASEBALL

Ball State remains dominant in conference play with series win over Bowling Green

By Kyle Smedley / April 30, 2023

Ball State Baseball (28-15, 15-6 MAC) defeated Bowling Green (15-25, 9-15 MAC) two times out of three in a Mid-American Conference (MAC) series in Ohio. The Cardinals return to action May 5-7 with a three-game series against Ohio (16-23, 13-8 MAC) in Athens.

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PATH TO GRADUATION

I changed my major From exercise science to journalism, and I don’t regret it

By Zach Gonzalez / April 30, 2023

Feeling content with our degree matters more than the amount of credits we need to obtain it or however many years it’ll require. I know this is a phrase many have heard time and time again, but the satisfaction of our desired profession matters more than the profit it makes.

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WOMEN'S TENNIS

Cardinals defeat Bulls, advance to MAC Tournament Championship

By Caleb Zuver / April 30, 2023

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) women’s tennis champions will get a chance to defend their crown Sunday and go back-to-back in the MAC Tournament. Ball State (21-3, 9-1 MAC) advanced to the MAC championship finals April 29  after defeating the Buffalo Bulls (20-9, 6-4 MAC) by a score of 4-0. 

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GRAD ISSUE

With Ball State Softball, Amaia Daniel found her 'second family'

By Zach Carter / April 29, 2023

When you ask Amaia Daniel about Ball State softball, she has three words: “A second family.” She won’t boast about her achievements with the Cardinals, even though she ranks in the top 20 of 17 different statistical categories in program history and in the top 10 of eight of those categories. She won’t talk about her love of the game; she will speak of her love for her teammates, her “second family.”  “There's people on this team who have known me for that long, and there's people who I deeply trust with many, many things, and I respect them deeply,” she said. “I could honestly call them family, and I could treat them like family.”

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GRAD ISSUE

Upcoming Ball State graduates reflect on their time as student leaders

By Hannah Amos and Jayda Mann / April 29, 2023

Graduates Tina Nguyen, Jessica Serwah and Andy Myers look back on their time at Ball State University, sharing personal and professional growth.

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OPINION

‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Episode 7: “The Spies” pimp my Grogu

By Conor Butler / April 28, 2023

The Mandalorian has hit the climax, bringing all the threads across season three into a intense and thrilling episode seven. With nothing left to do but close the season out with a bang, The Mandalorian strikes it out of the ballpark once more. 

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OPINION

‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Episode 6: “Guns for Hire” Attack of the Cameos

By Conor Butler / April 28, 2023

While Jack Black can do absolutely no wrong, episode six of The Madnalorian feels like a Disney cameo requirement rather than a fun Easter egg for viewers. Still holding onto Mandalorian quality, episode six falls somewhat flat off season three.

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VIDEOS

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Releases | Checkpoint

By Byte Staff / April 28, 2023

Barton and Elijah break down the new release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and what the gameplay and customization features may look like for fans.

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LIFESTYLES

Ball State top 100 students look back on their experiences

By Mya Cataline / April 28, 2023

The nomination. Filling out the application. Writing an essay about defining Beneficence. All of it ends in a waiting game.  The process for applying to be a top 100 student can be lengthy between recommendations from bosses or professors to having to wait to see if you made it. 

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Six Stellar Ways to Surprise Dad This Father's Day

April 28, 2023

Father's Day is a special occasion to celebrate and honor the important role that fathers and father figures play in our lives. It's a time to express gratitude and appreciation for their love, support, and guidance throughout the years.

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How to Make a Claim for Long-Term Disability Benefits

April 28, 2023

Have you been unable to work due to an illness or injury? If so, you may be eligible for long-term disability benefits. Claiming your own can be tricky and overwhelming, so we created this guide! Here, we'll walk you through all the steps required to understand the process of making a successful claim for long-term disability benefits. 

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What to Know About Securing Long-Term Disability Benefits

April 28, 2023

Are you considering applying for long-term disability benefits? Are you aware of all the hoops and hurdles associated with these claims? Understanding how to apply for long-term disability benefits properly is an essential skill that can save claimants time, money, and headaches.

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BASEBALL

How Decker Scheffler and Trennor O'Donnell turned their failures into successes

By Kyle Smedley / April 27, 2023

Decker Scheffler and Trennor O'Donnell's disappointing 2022 seasons turned out to be the catalyst toward successful 2023 campaigns, as O'Donnell has become the Cardinals' ace on the mound and Scheffler is among the Mid-American Conference leaders in hitting.

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BALL STATE EVENTS

Ball State University “Takes Back The Night” as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Zach Gonzalez / April 27, 2023

Ball State University hosted its annual “Take Back The Night” event April 26, taking part in a protest spanning decades to advocate for survivors of domestic violence, rape and other forms of sexual assault, led by Alpha Chi Omega, Fraternity & Sorority Life and the Center for Survivor Support.

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SOFTBALL

Ball State falls to Miami, remains in fourth place in MAC

By Zach Carter / April 27, 2023

After sweeping back-to-back Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponents, Ball State softball fell in a mid-week series against Miami. A big reason for that was the Redhawks' starting pitcher: Brianna Pratt. In the first game of the series, Miami’s ace was at her best. After she gave up five hits and had nine strikeouts, the Redhawks (29-17, 16-7 MAC) defeated the Cardinals 6-0. 

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GRAD ISSUE

Why Ball State education graduates are still passionate about their career path

By Meghan Braddy / April 27, 2023

Both upcoming and past Ball State graduates talk about their desire to pursue education occupations within the dying job market, backed by data from studies done across the country.

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VIDEOS

Coachella 2023 had a Rocky Start | Checkpoint

By Byte Staff / April 26, 2023

Neely and OK break down Coachella's opening weekend, and the delayed disaster of Frank Ocean's set.

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NFL MOCK DRAFT

MASSEY: 2023 NFL Mock Draft

By Dane Massey / April 26, 2023

The NFL Draft is just beyond the horizon and the top college football prospects will see their dreams come true and take center stage in Kansas City, Missouri, for the 2023 NFL Draft. However, this year’s draft adds an exciting twist that could be the secret recipe for what could be one of the craziest NFL Drafts in recent memory.