Ball State University Athletics
Senior INF Sean Kennedy (left) and sophomore RHP T.J. Baker //
Photo by: David Wegiel Jr.
T.J. Baker, Sean Kennedy Earn Weekly MAC Baseball Honors
April 24, 2017 | Baseball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the second time this spring, the Ball State baseball team took home both the Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week awards. Sophomore reliever T.J. Baker was named the Pitcher of the Week Monday while senior infielder Sean Kennedy was tabbed the Player of the Week.
Baker, a native of Tipton, Michigan, pitched in three of Ball State's four games last week without allowing a run. He held Purdue off the scoreboard in the ninth and 10th innings on April 18 before Ball State went on to win in the 12th inning. The righty pitched the final 2.2 innings in Friday's 6-5 win at Buffalo. He struck out four batters and only allowed one hit to pick up his fourth save. Baker then came on in the eighth inning in Saturday's game at Buffalo with runners on second and third. He got out of the jam and proceeded to close the game in the ninth to earn his second consecutive save. Ball State held on to win, 6-4.
Kennedy hit the go-ahead home run in the 12th inning at Purdue to help the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory. He hit safely in all four games and currently carries a seven-game hitting streak. The senior led the Cardinals with seven RBIs for the week. Kennedy, hailing from Dayton, Ohio, went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in the series finale at Buffalo. This was the second consecutive week Kennedy was selected MAC West Player of the Week.
Baker currently ranks second in the MAC in appearances (19) and fourth in saves (5). Meanwhile, Kennedy's 38 RBIs are third most in the league and his .344 batting average ranks fourth.
Kent State outfielder Mason Mamarella (East Player) and Ohio pitcher Jake Rudnicki (East Pitcher) were the other award winners this week.
Ball State (21-19, 8-7 MAC) has won 10 of its last 11 games. Next up for the Cardinals is a neutral site game against Indiana at Victory Field in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 25. Indiana won an earlier meeting between the two teams in 11 innings, 3-2. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
Baker, a native of Tipton, Michigan, pitched in three of Ball State's four games last week without allowing a run. He held Purdue off the scoreboard in the ninth and 10th innings on April 18 before Ball State went on to win in the 12th inning. The righty pitched the final 2.2 innings in Friday's 6-5 win at Buffalo. He struck out four batters and only allowed one hit to pick up his fourth save. Baker then came on in the eighth inning in Saturday's game at Buffalo with runners on second and third. He got out of the jam and proceeded to close the game in the ninth to earn his second consecutive save. Ball State held on to win, 6-4.
Kennedy hit the go-ahead home run in the 12th inning at Purdue to help the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory. He hit safely in all four games and currently carries a seven-game hitting streak. The senior led the Cardinals with seven RBIs for the week. Kennedy, hailing from Dayton, Ohio, went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in the series finale at Buffalo. This was the second consecutive week Kennedy was selected MAC West Player of the Week.
Baker currently ranks second in the MAC in appearances (19) and fourth in saves (5). Meanwhile, Kennedy's 38 RBIs are third most in the league and his .344 batting average ranks fourth.
Kent State outfielder Mason Mamarella (East Player) and Ohio pitcher Jake Rudnicki (East Pitcher) were the other award winners this week.
Ball State (21-19, 8-7 MAC) has won 10 of its last 11 games. Next up for the Cardinals is a neutral site game against Indiana at Victory Field in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 25. Indiana won an earlier meeting between the two teams in 11 innings, 3-2. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
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