Ball State University Athletics
Season Preview: Baseball Looks For Bounce Back Year in 2008
February 11, 2008 | Baseball
For the Ball State baseball program, the 2007 season was a learning experience all the way around.
After losing six everyday starters and the ace pitcher from a 2006 NCAA Regional team, the Cardinals reloaded with a core of young players.
The Ball State starting lineup almost always included four freshmen and occassionally featured five or more as the team struggled to a sixth place finish in the Mid-American Conference West.
With a year of valuable experience now behind them, the Cardinals believe 2008 will provide an opportunity to return to a comfortable spot near the top of the league standings.
"Last year was a challenge for us, but we've made it through that, and those young guys gained a lot of experience," Ball State coach Greg Beals said. "The other part of that is these guys are very talented players, so we're expecting to be much improved this season."
PITCHING
One of the most experienced members of last year's team proved to be one of the Cardinals' most valuable assets. Closer Kyle Heyne racked up 10 saves and a 5-3 record on the mound, giving him a hand in 15 of Ball State's 20 wins in 2007.
After tying the BSU career record for saves with 24, Heyne was drafted in June by the Minnesota Twins but opted to return to Ball State as a fifth-year senior co-captain to anchor the pitching staff.
Joining Heyne as a co-captain is senior starting pitcher Tyler Pritchard, who enters his third full season as a member of the team's weekend rotation. Pritchard's 2007 season was cut short by injury, but when healthy in 2006, he compiled a 7-3 record with a 4.93 ERA.
Junior Brenden Stines returns for his second season in the rotation after serving as the Cardinals' Friday starter for most of the 2007 season. Stines logged the lowest ERA among Ball State starters last year at 4.20.
"In my opinion, we have arguably the best pitcher in the conference on our team in Kyle Heyne," Beals said. "We also have a couple of experienced starters in Stines and Pritchard, who are both capable of winning big games for us."
In the bullpen, sophomore Aaron Hammons returns after leading all Ball State pitchers in 2007 with a 1.17 ERA.
Junior Adam Quinn, who was second on the team with 23 appearances in 2007, also returns as a reliever. He is joined by a pair of left-handers in Josh Vollmer and Tom Mueller. Additionally, right-hander Heath Riley joins the staff after redshirting last season.
The Cardinals have another left-handed pitcher in the bullpen this year with the addition of junior Eric Van Matre, a transfer from Purdue. The 2008 class of newcomers also includes options for relief pitchers in Seth Hobbs and Mitch Massard.
"I feel like our bullpen guys complement each other very well and have the ability to be tough," Beals said.
To round out the starting rotation, Ball State will look to a newcomer and two returning pitchers.
Freshman Kolbrin Vitek will pitch for the Cardinals in addtion to seeing time at first base and designated hitter. He could see time as a weekend starter.
Sophomore Brad Piatt and junior Jay Broughton are also in the mix for the third starter role. Piatt appeared in 17 games and started seven a season ago, logging a 4.44 ERA.
OUTFIELD
The 2008 Cardinals return every outfielder from the 2007 season. Five of the returning BSU outfielders started at least 19 games in 2007.
Wayne Bond Jr. returns in center field after starting 52 games a year ago and leading the Cardinals with 15 stolen bases. He also finished second on the team with a .309 batting average while hitting five home runs.
"I think our outfield is the strength of our team, anchored by center fiedler Wayne Bond," Beals said. "We have great speed and defensive ability, and I'm excited about the depth we have out there."
The Ball State outfield also returns a pair of sophomores in Kory Benbow and Ryan Chenoweth, who combined to start 86 games in 2007.
Benbow tied for the team lead with eight home runs as a freshman last year, while Chenoweth blasted seven homers and finished second on the team in RBI with 28.
The Cardinals also return outfielder Nate Fields, who started 19 games in 2007 and also served as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement. Fields drove in the game-winning run in the season finale against Central Michigan.
Additionally, Justin Rogers returns as a fifth-year senior who can play both in the outfield and at first base. Rogers is a two-year starter, and his versatility will allow the Cardinals to use him in a utility role in 2008.
"Justin can play a lot of positions for us," Beals said. "He is going to be in the lineup every day. He's just going to be in different spots defensively."
In addition, Ball State returns sophomore outfielder Mark Isenberg, who saw action in 15 games last year. The Cardinals also welcome in freshman outfielder Derek Undem.
INFIELD
With the departure of two seniors on the left side of the infield, Ball State will look to replace both its shortstop and third baseman in 2008. For that, the Cardinals will look to junior Dean Anna at shortstop and freshman T.J. Baumet at third base.
Anna is in his first year at Ball State, having transferred from John A. Logan College, where he hit .340 with 120 runs scored in two seasons of action.
Baumet joins the Cardinals as a highly touted freshman from Brownsburg High School, one of the most successful baseball programs in the state of Indiana. He was an honorable mention All-America selection as a senior.
"In most cases, replacing the left side of your infield would be a concern," Beals said. "But we're going to be very good at shortstop and third base. Dean and T.J. are extremely talented, and we're not going to miss a beat over there."
The right side of the infield returns for Ball State.
At second base, Jeremy Hazelbaker is back for his sophomore season after starting 50 games as a freshman. Hazelbaker homered five times in 2007 while driving in 21 runs.
At first base, Ball State returns three capable players in Rogers, Matt Stoeklen and Joe Mack.
Stoeklen started 52 games as Ball State's first baseman in 2007 and will see time at that position and as the designated hitter in 2008.
Stoeklen, who joined Bond last season as a junior college transfer, led the Cardinals offensively with eight home runs, 39 RBI and a .311 batting average. He also logged a team-best .518 on-base percentage.
"We're looking forward to great years from both Matt and Wayne," Beals said. "As junior college guys, last year was their first Division I experience, as well. And now, as seniors, they have a sense of urgency because this is their last go around."
Mack returns as a sophomore after playing in 36 games last year and seeing some time at first base. He hit .298 while serving as one of the team's top pinch hitters off the bench.
In the infield, the Cardinals also return Shannon McCormick, who redshirted in 2007. The team has added potential infielders in freshmen Nick von Foerster and Vitek, who can play first base in addition to pitching.
CATCHING
Sophomores Zach Dygert and Alex Schmid will handle most of the catching duties again in 2008. The duo split time behind the plate in 2007 as both players saw their first catching action at the collegiate level.
Schmid posted a .286 batting average in 2007, while Dygert hit .258 for the season. The pair combined for 28 RBI.
"With a year of experience, Zach and Alex have really developed and matured as players both physically and mentally," Beals said. "They have a better understanding of the position, and having two capable and experienced catchers will allow them both to stay fresh throughout the season."
The Cardinals also return fifth-year senior catcher Jordan Goodpaster. Additionally, the team brought in two catchers for 2008 in freshmen Aaron Etchison and Shea Johnson.
SCHEDULE
Ball State will open its season Feb. 22 with the first game of a four-game series at UAB. The Cardinals will play their first 17 games on the road, including a series at New Mexico State and two weekend tournaments at Coastal Carolina.
"The New Mexico State trip is interesting because it gives us a chance to go play out west, which is something we haven't done since I've been here," Beals said. "It will give us another opportunity to see sort of a different brand of baseball from a different conference."
Included in the two tournaments at Coastal Carolina, which bookend the team's spring break trip, are three games against the host Chanticleers and one game against nationally ranked Michigan. In between those two tournaments, Ball State will play a pair of midweek games at Charleston Southern.
Ball State opens its home slate with two midweek games March 18 and 19 against in-state foes Anderson and Indianapolis. The Cardinals then head back to the road to open the Mid-American Conference season at Akron March 21.
Ball State will host four conference series in 2008: Buffalo (April 4-6), Bowling Green (April 11-13), Eastern Michigan (May 2-4) and Northern Illinois (May 9-11). The Cardinals will go on the road for five series: Akron (March 21-23), Kent State (March 28-30), Central Michigan (April 18-20), Western Michigan (April 25-27) and Toledo (May 15-17).
"Our conference schedule is as challenging as it can be," Beals said, "especially with the parity in our league and the fact that we travel to Kent State and Central Michigan, which are always contenders for the conference title."
Ball State travels to play traditional foes Notre Dame (March 25), Indiana (April 16) and Purdue (April 23). The Cardinals host midweek, non-conference games against Dayton (April 2), Indiana State (April 15) and Xavier (April 22).
The conference portion of the schedule builds toward the MAC Tournament, which is scheduled for May 21-24 at the site of the No. 1 seed.
COACH'S OUTLOOK
"We're excited about this upcoming season," Beals said. "Last year, as tough as it was, made us a better program. It was a learning experience for all us, and I think that will serve us well this year."
