Don’t get me wrong; I love watching the NCAA Baseball tournament on TV. Witnessing the excitement and feeling the energy level from the teams in the tournament can’t be matched on any other level. Though, part of my heart still stings because I still wish I was watching the 2014 Ball State Cardinals.
Regardless of the ending in Avon, Ohio, 2014 was an unbelievable season for Ball State. Now we can begin looking towards the 2015 season and this time of year can provide a lot of answers to burning questions following the 2014 season.
Summer is not the time for vacations, at least for college baseball players. This is the time of year where players go around the country looking to improve their game before fall ball begins. Here is a look at many of the Ball State players and how summer ball is going for them so far.
Alex Maloney—Alaska Baseball League—Anchorage Glacier Pilots
- So many great freshmen had stellar seasons for Ball State, as Alex Maloney was no different. I can remember calling the walk-off win against Northwestern in February and the walk-off win against Kent State. Alex has taken his talents to Alaska for the summer, playing for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.
The league began play June 8th and Maloney didn’t waste anytime making an impact. Maloney lead the Bucs to a 9-4 win while going 2-4, one run, a sacrifice bunt, and helped turn a double play. Maloney is on pace to have a great summer in Alaska. Check out the little post-game recap on the Alaska Baseball webpage below.
https://twitter.com/LukeMartinBSU/status/475845552412704768
Sean Kennedy—Great Lakes League—Hamilton Joes
- Sean Kennedy's freshman season ended with him being named to the All-MAC Second team, as the young man form Ohio was one of the many bright spots for the Cardinals in 2014. Kennedy is looking to improve his game this summer in the Great Lakes League.
Kennedy has appeared in two games so far batting .286 with two hits, two runs scored, and a sacrifice bunt. The big game for Kennedy was the first game he appeared in, against Cardinal counterpart Caleb Stayton, where Kennedy went 2-4 and scored the eventual game-winning run in a 7-6 game against the Lake Erie Monarchs.
Caleb Stayton—Great Lakes League—Lake Erie Monarchs
- Hard to believe Ball State had so much success in 2014 with a core group of young stars and Caleb Stayton is one of them. Stayton was a reliable piece in the Cardinal lineup at first base all season long and provided some offensive production in key moments.
As for summer league ball, Stayton is showing off his offensive prowess for the Monarchs. Stayton, out of the players who have appeared in three or more games this season, has the best batting average on the team with a .364 mark. Stayton has produced four hits, one double, one run scored, and one RBI. Stayton has been perfect in the field so far with zero errors.
BJ Butler –Hampton League—Westhampton Aviators
- BJ Butler did see his moments on the mound for Ball State this past season, but not many young guys will see much action when you have a veteran bullpen and pitching staff. Next year will be a different story, as Butler will be needed and has a chance to be a huge asset for the Cards.
This summer is off to a great start for Butler, as he is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Butler’s best pitching performance is going six innings strong with zero earned runs, four hits, four strikeouts and no walks. Butler has pitched eight complete innings total this summer and has struck out seven batters, surrendered five hits, and still has yet to have a baserunner reach due to a walk. Hear his interview after the stellar pitching performance Sunday below.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/hamptons-baseball-league/bj-butler-westhampton-aviators-6814#t=0:02[/embed]
Elbert Devarie—Summit City Sluggers—Fort Wayne, Indiana, area
- I can remember having a conversation with Elbert halfway through the 2014 season and I could tell he wasn't himself. Elbert is a high energy guy, always smiling but he wasn't the particular day I ran into him. Everyone at this level is highly energized and wanting to play every game but sometimes that simply can't happen. I told Elbert to stay positive, stay focused because you never know when your name will be called. For him, his name was called in the final regular season series against NIU and Elbert delivered with three hits, three runs scored, two RBI and a double. His confidence was soaring leaving Dekalb and still is during summer league play.
Devarie’s bat is on fire for the Summit City Sluggers, batting .352 and 6-6 on stolen base attempts. Devarie’s offensive skills were put on display when he went 2 for 3 with a home run and a single, along with 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored June 8th. Not to mention he reached base on a walk and had a sacrifice bunt. This is great news for the Cardinals and will hopefully spark a great 2015 season for EJ.
Ryan Spaulding—Northwoods League—Kalamazoo Growlers
- Ryan Spaulding signs an autograph for a fan after a game this summer. Spaulding is coming off a great 2014 season, in which he was named first team All-MAC.
- The first team All-MAC second baseman had a season to remember in 2014. I have always been impressed by Ryan Spaulding because of what the young man has gone through. Just watch his story from Ball State Sports Link and his battle with Crohn’s disease, as it is one of the most inspiring stories out there.
As for the action on the field, Spaulding is having a solid summer so far. He is one of only 5 players on the Growlers to have appeared in 11 or more games this season defensively, and one of six players to appear in the batting order 11 or more times. Spaulding is batting .244 with 11 hits, three doubles and one triple, along with 5 RBI’s, which is tied for third most on the team.
Brandon Estep—Great Lakes League—Grand Lake Mariners
- What a season it was for Brandon Estep, especially when you look back at what he did in 2013. Estep improved in every major statistical category and became a valuable part to the 2014 Cardinals, something he wasn’t in 2013. Instead of making excuses, trying to find reasons for not playing, Estep went back to work and improved his game. Now heading into next year, Estep is a senior leader.
This summer has been up and down for Estep so far. He has appeared in four games for the Mariners and has produced a .167 batting average with two hits, 1 RBI, has walked twice and struck out twice. It is only the beginning of summer league play, which means plenty of time to improve for Estep.
Nick Hollowell—Great Lakes League—Grand Lake Mariners
- Good ol’ Nick Hollowell is mostly known for his bat when he is wearing the Cardinal and White, but he is making plays with his glove for the Mariners this summer. Hollowell is seeing some valuable time in the outfield, starting multiple games in left and right field, while also starting one game at first base. Hollowell has yet to commit a throwing error this summer.
I mentioned the power he has when the bat is in his hands and Hollowell is showcasing that this summer. The Muncie native is second on the team in batting average (.308) and tied for most extra base hits with two through four games on the Mariners.
David Current—Great Lakes League—Cincinnati Steam
- Athleticism definitely runs in the Current family. David’s two brothers both played collegiate sports (basketball and baseball) and two of his uncles played baseball at the collegiate level. There is no doubting David Current is going down the right path.
Current didn’t get a ton of time out on the mound in 2014 for Ball State, pitching 8.1 innings with a 6.48 ERA, which is why summer ball is key for Current. The soon to be Cardinal sophomore has started one game for the Stream. Current went 3.2 innings allowing two earned runs and four hits, but struck out three while only walking two batters. He ended up facing 18 batters in total and recorded the loss, as the Stream fell to the Mariners 1-3.
Mike Roberson—Midwest League—Dupage County Hounds
- Not many are going to get a ton of playing time behind home plate when you have a guy like Jarett Rindfleisch in front of you, but Mike Roberson is still putting in work this summer in hopes to find a role in 2015 for Ball State. He was always one of the positive attitudes in the locker room in 2014, and would be right there to support his teammates in the best way possible.
Now Roberson is looking to make his impact on the field, and so far this summer he has accomplished that task. Roberson has appeared in four games behind the plate for the Hounds and has a perfect fielding percentage. Roberson saw action in five games inside the batter’s box hitting .250 with three hits, one double and four RBI's.
Anthony Gomez—Midwest League— Northwest Indiana Oilman
- Anthony Gomez is doing his best this summer to help lead him to more outings on the mound for Ball State next spring.
- This is a name many in Cardinal country may not know yet, mostly because he hasn’t seen any action yet for Ball State. Gomez came in with an extremely talented freshmen class, as we all know, which means scrapping for playing time can be difficult. Now it is moving towards 2015, not looking back at 2014. There are going to be many positions up for grabs, especially in the bullpen and pitching rotation.
Gomez has appeared in two games this season, both being in relief and in tough spots. His first outing came against the Lexington Snipes pitching 2.1 innings giving up four runs on four hits, striking out two batters and walking three. Gomez entered the game with the bases loaded and no outs, with the Oilman trailing 9-1. His second outing went much better, pitching 3 innings of no hit baseball with no runs, two strikeouts and two walks.
Jarrett James—New York League—Niagara Power
- I really feel for Jarrett James because he is in a tough spot when it comes to finding a spot to play for the Cardinals. Ryan Spaulding is a reliable second baseman, along with Alex Maloney at shortstop. No doubt there are moments every now and then where James will get out in the field, but I know he is working towards trying to be a reliable asset Coach Maloney can go to more often.
Right now in New York, James is doing more than being an "asset." James is batting .318 from the plate with seven hits, two doubles, nine runs scored, and one RBI. James also has drawn eight walks. As for fielding, James has a .765 fielding percentage with four errors. Still, awesome to see one of the good guys getting some great production and quality experience in New York.
Sam Tidaback—Coastal Plain League— Peninsula Pilots
- I mentioned how Mike Roberson has a tough spot being behind the plate for the Cards...well...so does Sam Tidaback. Tidaback had a great freshman season for the Cards, which was topped off by making the All-MAC Tournament team in 2013, but Jarett Rindfleisch earned his stripes in 2014. Even with Rindfleisch having the spotlight most of the time, Tidaback provided many great moments in 2014, highlighted by the Central Michigan series.
Summer has treated Tidaback well, as out of the players who have appeared in 7 or more games, Tidaback leads in batting average at .318. The Illinois native also has been making plays behind the plate, throwing out four of five base runners who have attempted to steal on him in summer league play.
Check back next Monday for more Updates!
Be sure to come back next Monday for another roundup of summer league news for Ball State baseball players! There are still some who I didn't get to this week, mostly due to faulty websites of the specific teams they are playing for, but will always do my best to provide coverage to every Ball State player playing summer league ball.
If you want daily notifications on how some Ball State players are doing, be sure to follow me on Twitter @LukeMartinBSU or follow @BallStateBB for updates!
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