Power Pitching The Headline For The 2019 Cardinals

For years, Ball State baseball has competed for championships behind a few standout arms but mostly a powerful brand of offensive baseball. In 2014, the Cardinals slugged 44 home runs (no other MAC team had more than 27) en route to a division championship. In 2016, Ball State led the conference with 193 extra-base hits.

You have to go back to the early parts of the century – two Cardinal pitchers were first round draft picks in 2002 – to find the time when Ball State's primary strength was pitching. This year's squad has the pitching potential to rival those days when high-end arms won the day in Muncie.

"We're really excited about our pitching," Rich Maloney said as he heads into his 14^thseason at Ball State. "We could have a special year if everything comes together, but our guys have to earn it. We've been known for highly-drafted pitchers, but we've won championships with our offense. But in order to win you have to have balance."

CARDS ARMED WITH QUALITY ARMS
Heading into the season, all eyes are on the arms of John Baker, Drey Jameson and Kyle Nicolas. Baker, a junior from Michigan, was second team All-MAC last season and turned heads with a successful summer in the Cape Cod League. He struck out 118 batters over 95.1 innings, which ranked in the MAC's top three in both categories. After the strong sophomore season, Baker was voted third team preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball News.

Jameson, a righty sophomore from Greenfield, Indiana, who Maloney enthusiastically dubs a "pitbull on the mound," was the 2018 MAC Freshman of the Year and has been lighting up radar guns since coming to Ball State. Opposing batters hit just .203 off of Jameson last season, second-lowest in the MAC. He was second on the team and third in the conference with 97 strikeouts.

Nicolas, a tall right-hander who has gained the attention of pro scouts, made 10 starts as a freshman and could be a breakout year candidate. His first career win last year came against Iowa and he was the player of the year as a high schooler in Ohio in 2017.

The staff goes much deeper than just those three, as Maloney recently told fans at a Ball State luncheon that this year's team boasts the most depth he's had.

Chayce McDermott is projected as a strong contributor after missing last season due to injury. Maloney raves about his metrics.

"We're excited about him and think he has a really high ceiling," Maloney said.

Mike Pachmayer is a 6-6 junior lefty who made 12 appearances last season and Nolan Gazouski limited opposing hitters to a stellar .167 average in 25 appearances. He has a strong arm, fanning 61 batters and has even appeared in games as a DH, outfielder or pinch runner.

"Michael did a nice job at the end of last year and he'll be a big part of what we do," Maloney said. "Nolan's got a great arm and he'll also be a key for us."

Nick Floyd is a true swingman – a veteran presence who can start or provide relief innings. As a sophomore in 2017, Floyd threw 4.0 innings of one-hit ball against national power Oregon State and he earned a win against Purdue.

"Nick has had some big games for us. He's a seasoned veteran who can really pitch," Maloney said.

Brendan Burns is a fifth-year senior with 45 appearances and 13 career wins under his belt. He returns after missing the 2018 season. Benjamin Wiegand is a crafty lefty with good off-speed pitches and Maloney likes what he sees out of freshmen Andre Erselli, Ty Weatherly and Landon McGill.

AROUND THE DIAMOND
Handling the majority of the innings behind the plate is Chase Sebby, a Californian who quickly became one of the leaders of the team last year. He batted .293 with a team-best .441 on-base percentage. He was the program's Dirtbag Award winner, which honors a player who displays toughness, leadership and intelligence. Sebby certainly has intelligence, as he will graduate this year with a degree in actuarial science.

"He's one of our main leaders. He did a great job defensively and hit well for us," Maloney said. "He's just really solid."

What a dirtbag! Taking home our 2018 Dirtbag Award, the most prestigious award for leadership, toughness, teamwork & for being a stud Cardinal... @chasebby26!! pic.twitter.com/ikzUHSdDT3
— Ball State Baseball (@BallStateBB) February 3, 2019

In the infield, Maloney is looking for breakthroughs from returning players and for new faces to emerge. John Ricotta is a senior who made 42 starts last year and Maloney feels he's going to shine at the plate this year. Up the middle, Noah Navarro returns after an injury last season and Noah Powell is the shortstop after batting .319 and earning All-MAC honors in 2018.

Ross Messina, a junior from Kansas City, is a key newcomer who may play a lot at third base and possibly in the outfield. He hit .353 with 90 RBIs in two junior college seasons and he's projected as a big bat in the heart of the order.

ON OUTFIELD PATROL
There will be a lot of contributors in the outfield. Junior Aaron Simpson is a speedy centerfielder and Griffin Hulecki, Will Baker and Nick Powell will play a lot of innings in the corner spots. Hulecki, a senior who hit .295 last year, will also DH a lot.

"Griffin hit well for us last year, and we're looking for him to give us some power," Maloney said. "Will had a really good summer and he's a utility player. He can play second, third or outfield. He's a guy we'll use all over. Aaron is a solid defender and line drive hitter."

Much of the outfield picture could be determined on who steps up throughout the lineup.

CARDS WILL BE BATTLE TESTED
Maloney will be sending this team up against a very formidable schedule, one that should have the Cards battle tested when league play rolls around in March.

"If you want to be one of the best, you need to play against the best," the coach said. "Part of the experience at Ball State is playing great programs in great venues. We're giving our team the opportunity to create some memories."

Ball State will play 11 games against teams from Power 5 conferences, with three games at Alabama and two each against Notre Dame, Indiana and Purdue. The season opener is in Arizona against Stanford, a team ranked as high as fifth in national preseason polls.

There are 23 home games set for Ball Diamond this spring, as well as a big-time contest against Indiana at Victory Field in Indianapolis (April 23) where BSU will be the home team. In MAC play, the big showdown will be at the end of March when Kent State visits, and Ball State gets the final two weekends at home before the conference tournament begins in Ohio on May 22.

Players Mentioned

John Baker

Brendan Burns

Nick Floyd

Nolan Gazouski

Griffin Hulecki

Drey Jameson

Chayce McDermott

Landon McGill

Ross Messina

Noah Navarro

Kyle Nicolas

Mike Pachmayer

Nick Powell

Noah Powell

John Ricotta

Chase Sebby

Aaron Simpson

Ty Weatherly

Benjamin Wiegand

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