Top Stories of 2018-19: Cardinals Coaching Milestones
June 27, 2019 | Baseball, Softball, Women's Tennis
Looking back at the top stories from the 2018-19 year
When coaches win consistently, recruit well and hire great assistants, the milestones will come. In our next installment of the Top 2018-19 Ball State Athletics Stories series, let's review the coaches who hit big marks this year when it comes to winning.
RICH MALONEY WINS NO. 800
Entering his 14th year at Ball State and 24th year overall, baseball head coach Rich Maloney had won 794 games, and the countdown to 800 was on. The Cardinals earned that sixth win of 2019 with a 6-4 win over Georgetown in Florida on March 8. Maloney became the 27th active D-I coach to reach 800 wins.Â
"What it means is I've had the privilege to work with so many great players and coaches. It's been a true team effort and two great institutions," Maloney said. "One thing I'm proud of is our consistency. Year in and year out, we've been a contender. When you hit a milestone like this, you reflect on everything you've learned and the relationships you've made in the game. I have a lot to be thankful for."
The Ball State Nine kept it rolling after that, marching to a 38-19 record and a second-place finish in the MAC. Remarkably, BSU baseball has won 30 games in each of Maloney's 14 seasons. So 900 wins should be right around the corner.
MEGAN C. BARTLETT KEEPS IT 100
The softball players gave Megan Ciolli Bartlett the silent treatment. Similarly to when you hit your first home run and your teammates pretend to ignore you, the Cardinals had a businesslike attitude after beating Montana 9-1 on Feb. 24. But then came the celebration.Â
The victory gave Bartlett her 100th career victory and capped a 4-1 weekend in California against western teams. In four seasons at BSU, Cardinal softball is 123-99 under Bartlett and has posted a winning season three years in a row.
GAME, SET, 100
An 11-2 start to the spring season set the table for Ball State women's tennis coach Max Norris to win his 100th dual this year. Norris reached the mark with a 7-0 rout over Buffalo. Overall, Norris is an impressive 102-38 at Ball State with a couple conference titles under his belt. The Cardinals would finish the year 16-6, their sixth winning season over the last seven years.
Ball State fans can find our top storylines of 2018-19 right here once a week throughout the summer months of June and July.
Top 2018-19 Ball State Stories
June 11 – Soccer's Run to the MAC Championship Game
June 19 – Football Beats WMU In OT on Senior Night
June 27 – Coaching Milestones
RICH MALONEY WINS NO. 800
Entering his 14th year at Ball State and 24th year overall, baseball head coach Rich Maloney had won 794 games, and the countdown to 800 was on. The Cardinals earned that sixth win of 2019 with a 6-4 win over Georgetown in Florida on March 8. Maloney became the 27th active D-I coach to reach 800 wins.Â
"What it means is I've had the privilege to work with so many great players and coaches. It's been a true team effort and two great institutions," Maloney said. "One thing I'm proud of is our consistency. Year in and year out, we've been a contender. When you hit a milestone like this, you reflect on everything you've learned and the relationships you've made in the game. I have a lot to be thankful for."
With today's win over Georgetown, @CoachMaloney reaches 800 career wins!
— Ball State Baseball (@BallStateBB) March 8, 2019
? 27th active coach to reach 800 wins
? 55 coaches in all three NCAA divisions
? Averages out to 34.5 wins per season (as of today) pic.twitter.com/NTDVlFLDRb
The Ball State Nine kept it rolling after that, marching to a 38-19 record and a second-place finish in the MAC. Remarkably, BSU baseball has won 30 games in each of Maloney's 14 seasons. So 900 wins should be right around the corner.
MEGAN C. BARTLETT KEEPS IT 100
The softball players gave Megan Ciolli Bartlett the silent treatment. Similarly to when you hit your first home run and your teammates pretend to ignore you, the Cardinals had a businesslike attitude after beating Montana 9-1 on Feb. 24. But then came the celebration.Â
#SheDidntKnow ??????
— Ball State Softball (@BallStateSB) February 24, 2019
From the entire @BallStateSB family, CONGRATS on your first ?? wins!
Looking forward to MANY MORE!#ChirpChirp | #WeFly | #NCAASoftball pic.twitter.com/sENsOQu024
The victory gave Bartlett her 100th career victory and capped a 4-1 weekend in California against western teams. In four seasons at BSU, Cardinal softball is 123-99 under Bartlett and has posted a winning season three years in a row.
GAME, SET, 100
An 11-2 start to the spring season set the table for Ball State women's tennis coach Max Norris to win his 100th dual this year. Norris reached the mark with a 7-0 rout over Buffalo. Overall, Norris is an impressive 102-38 at Ball State with a couple conference titles under his belt. The Cardinals would finish the year 16-6, their sixth winning season over the last seven years.
Congrats Coach Max on your 100 Wins at Ball State! Go Cards?? pic.twitter.com/BiJT0nv4lL
— BSU Women's Tennis (@BallStateWTNS) April 5, 2019
Ball State fans can find our top storylines of 2018-19 right here once a week throughout the summer months of June and July.
Top 2018-19 Ball State Stories
June 11 – Soccer's Run to the MAC Championship Game
June 19 – Football Beats WMU In OT on Senior Night
June 27 – Coaching Milestones
Baseball // 5 AM Workouts
Tuesday, August 26
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27
Baseball // Day 1 MAC Tournament Recap: Win vs. EMU
Thursday, May 22