Ball State University Athletics
Tuesday, March 12
Muncie, Ind.
3 PM
Ball State University
vs
Purdue Fort Wayne
Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
Baseball Hosting Purdue Fort Wayne Tuesday Afternoon
March 11, 2024 | Baseball
The Ball State baseball team continues its seven-game homestand to begin the 19-game home slate with a 3 p.m. battle on Tuesday against Purdue Fort Wayne at the First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
The Cardinals (10-6) took down Eastern Michigan 11-8 on Sunday in the finale of the first Mid-American Conference series of the year. Juniors Merritt Beeker (5.2 innings pitched, 1 run, 10 strikeouts) and Michael Hallquist (4-for-5, home run, two runs scored) powered the way to the first home win this season for Ball State.
The Mastodons (6-11) most recently split a four-game set at Missouri, winning the first two games of the weekend 9-7 against the Southeastern Conference opponent. Purdue Fort Wayne started the year 1-6 before a 9-6 midweek win at No. 20 Indiana on Feb. 27. The Mastodons also won 12-10 last Tuesday at Butler, who Ball State will play twice this year.
Ball State pitchers combine to pace the MAC in ERA (4.80), hits allowed per nine innings (8.53) and strikeouts per nine (10.5), while the Cardinal bats lead the league in doubles (31) and home runs (18) this year.
After Sunday's 10-strikout performance, Beeker leads the MAC in total strikeouts (30, No. 38 in NCAA Division I) and strikeouts per nine innings (15.9, No. 12). Hallquist is tied for second in the league and No. 45 nationally with his six homers.
Purdue Fort Wayne is in its fifth year under the direction of head coach Doug Schreiber, who was the head man at Purdue for 18 seasons previously and has accumulated 538 career wins.
Mastodon junior infielder Nick Sutherlin ranks second in the Horizon League and No. 39 nationally in doubles (seven), while freshman Justin Osterhouse leads the team in batting average (.350), home runs (six) and RBI (19) so far.
Up Next
Ball State is scheduled to host a three-game series with Bowling Green beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday to continue conference play.
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The Cardinals (10-6) took down Eastern Michigan 11-8 on Sunday in the finale of the first Mid-American Conference series of the year. Juniors Merritt Beeker (5.2 innings pitched, 1 run, 10 strikeouts) and Michael Hallquist (4-for-5, home run, two runs scored) powered the way to the first home win this season for Ball State.
The Mastodons (6-11) most recently split a four-game set at Missouri, winning the first two games of the weekend 9-7 against the Southeastern Conference opponent. Purdue Fort Wayne started the year 1-6 before a 9-6 midweek win at No. 20 Indiana on Feb. 27. The Mastodons also won 12-10 last Tuesday at Butler, who Ball State will play twice this year.
Ball State pitchers combine to pace the MAC in ERA (4.80), hits allowed per nine innings (8.53) and strikeouts per nine (10.5), while the Cardinal bats lead the league in doubles (31) and home runs (18) this year.
After Sunday's 10-strikout performance, Beeker leads the MAC in total strikeouts (30, No. 38 in NCAA Division I) and strikeouts per nine innings (15.9, No. 12). Hallquist is tied for second in the league and No. 45 nationally with his six homers.
Purdue Fort Wayne is in its fifth year under the direction of head coach Doug Schreiber, who was the head man at Purdue for 18 seasons previously and has accumulated 538 career wins.
Mastodon junior infielder Nick Sutherlin ranks second in the Horizon League and No. 39 nationally in doubles (seven), while freshman Justin Osterhouse leads the team in batting average (.350), home runs (six) and RBI (19) so far.
Up Next
Ball State is scheduled to host a three-game series with Bowling Green beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday to continue conference play.
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Players Mentioned
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