Kent State University
Ball State
Flashes and Cardinals Open MAC Schedule
3/22/2018 12:13:00 PM | Baseball
KSU and Ball State start quest for league title this weekend in Kent
Flashes and Cardinals Open MAC Schedule
KSU and Ball State start quest for league title this weekend in Kent
Two of the Mid-American Conference's most storied and recently successful programs will begin the hunt for a regular season championship and first round tournament bye Friday when Kent State and Ball State meet for a 3 p.m. match-up.
The Golden Flashes (10-6) and Cardinals (10-10) each have several quality wins on their non-conference schedules. KSU has defeated Arkansas and Sam Houston State while Ball State beat Iowa earlier this month. Last weekend Kent State took two of three games in Cullowhee while two weeks ago the Cardinals won all three against Western Carolina. KSU has won five straight in the series which dates back to 1974.
For the second straight weekend, KSU will use the pitching rotation of Connor Wollersheim on Friday and MAC Pitcher of the Week Joey Murray on Saturday. Kent State has not announced a Sunday starter. The Golden Flashes won their home opener Tuesday over Youngstown State, 7-2.
This will be the seventh straight year the Flashes and Cardinals have played at least once in the regular season. Last year in Muncie, Kent State swept the Cardinals to start the conference season. In 2016 the two teams finished 1-2 in the regular season league race with Kent State bringing home the title.
The game times are 3:00 on Friday, 3:00 on Saturday and 1:00 on Sunday.
MEDIA PLANS
All three weekend games will air live on the new Golden Flashes TV stream.
It can be viewed here:
Friday - https://boxcast.tv/view/kent-state-baseball-vs-ball-state-32318-710831
Saturday - https://boxcast.tv/view/kent-state-baseball-vs-ball-state-32418-480379
Sunday - https://boxcast.tv/view/kent-state-baseball-vs-ball-state-32518-626746
In addition, Friday and Saturday's games will air on the Kent State Radio Network.
DIAMOND DIALOGUE
- Kent State will open the 2018 Mid-American Conference schedule at home for the first time since 2014.
- KSU is facing Ball State to open the league slate for the second straight year. Last year in Muncie, Kent State swept the Cardinals by scores of 6-5, 6-3 and 9-4.
- Kent State is 118-39 at Schoonover Stadium since the start of the 2010 season with an average home single-season record of 13-4.
- KSU has scored 23 runs in the ninth inning so far in 2018. They have outscored the opposition 46-24 from the seventh inning on.
- Kent State has also scored 22 total runs in the first two innings combined this season.
- Mason Mamarella is 17 for his last 35 for an average of .486. He leads KSU in hitting with a .421 season clip.
BACK-TO-BACK REGULAR SEASON TITLES
Kent State dominated Mid-American Conference regular season play in 2016 and 2017. The 2016 Flashes finished 20-4 – just slightly off the insane pace and school record of 24-3 set by the 2012 squad. Kent State's nearest threat in 2016 was Ball State, which finished five games off the pace. Last year, Kent State posted an 18-6 league mark, two games better than second place Central Michigan. In the last two seasons, KSU has not been swept in a MAC series and has lost two out of three only once.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
The 2018 Mid-American Conference race begins this weekend for the Cardinals and Flashes. Ball State has finished as a high seed in the league tournament over the last several years and checks into action this weekend with a 10-10 record. BSU most recently split four games with Dayton and had a midweek home date with Purdue postponed. The redbirds are led in most offensive categories by senior outfielder Jeff Riedel. The Cookeville, Tennessee native is hitting .409 and has started 16 of BSU's 20 games. He also has a terrific arm, leading all Cardinal outfielders in assists last year. Sophomore right-hander John Baker has struck out 49 hitters in 2018 – easily the top number in the league. The Cardinals are the MAC's fourth-best offensive and pitching staff.
