Ball State University Athletics
Ball State Baseball Picked Second in MAC West Division
February 01, 2006 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State University baseball team has been picked by the Mid-American Conference's head baseball coaches to finish second in the MAC West Division race behind last year's divisional runner-up Central Michigan. Miami is the favorite to win the East Division and the postseason Tournament.
"The preseason rankings come as no surprise," fourth-year head coach Greg Beals says. "Miami and Central Michigan both have solid ballclubs. Our conference as a whole is going to be very competitive."
The Cardinals return 22 lettermen -- including seven position starters -- to a squad that won the fourth-most games in school history last season. The team compiled a 38-18 overall record (17-5 MAC) to win BSU's sixth-ever divisional crown.
Of the returning starters, three -- senior second baseman Kyle Dygert, senior center fielder Mike Sullivan and sophomore pitcher Ben Snyder -- earned All-MAC First Team accolades and two -- senior first baseman Brad Miller and junior right fielder Eric Earnhart -- earned MAC All-Tournament team recognition. Snyder also earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors after compiling an 8-5 record (7-0 MAC), 87 strikeouts and a 4.21 ERA in 98.1 innings.
"We have a senior-laden team that understands these are the expectations of the other coaches, but we are focused on our expectations -- a championship season," Beals adds. "The rankings include the usual customers with Miami and Kent State in the East plus Central Michigan and Ball State in the West. We have a chance to play everybody, so we can figure things out on the field."
Ball State opens its 2006 season Feb. 17-19 at UAB in Birmingham, Ala. The Cardinals' home opener is slated for March 28 versus Wright State at 3 p.m.
