BY ALEC RUNYAN / Ball State Sports Link
There were 19 events in Ball State sports from Thursday to Sunday last week, with some impressive performances from the courts to the fields.
From upsets in Arizona to records being broke in the pool and gymnastics, here’s the five Cardinals you need to know.
Kaleb Jenness – Men’s Volleyball
Ball State remained unbeaten at home, sweeping Lindenwood (3-0, 3-0) this previous weekend.
Junior Kaleb Jenness led the Cardinals attack all weekend with 37 kills through the two matches.
In Saturday’s match, Jenness finished with a season-high 19 kills with a very impressive .441 hitting percentage. In another solid performance Sunday, Jenness led the Cardinals again in kills with 18.
Ball State (7-1, 4-0 MIVA) looks to continue their winning streak against MIVA opponent Ohio State Saturday, Feb. 26 starting at 7 p.m.
John Baker – Baseball
The Cardinals opened the 2021 baseball season facing #22 Arizona on the road in a four-game series.
Senior pitcher John Baker picked up the first win of the season for the Cardinals in an 8-7 victory over Arizona in 11 innings.
After BSU rallied in the top of the 8th to score four runs and tie the game 7-7, Baker came in and shut down the Wildcats during the next four innings.
Baker, who was originally set to start Sunday’s game came out of the bullpen to earn his 19th career win as a Cardinal. Through the final four innings, Baker faced 13 batters striking out seven while only giving up two hits.
Ball state followed Saturday’s win with another victory on Sunday with a final score 5-2, before dropping the final game Monday to leave Arizona with a series split.
Arden Hudson – Gymnastics
The BSU gymnastics team moved to 12-0 last Friday beating Bowling Green, 195.550- 193.250.
Arden Hudson continued her dominant senior season by setting a school-record 9.925 on beam while finishing in first yet again.
Hudson has been impressive all season long on beam and appears to be trending in the right direction towards the end of the season.
Ball State returns to action Sunday in a meet televised on ESPN 3 by Sports Link.
Joseph Garberick – Men’s Swimming
Freshman Joseph Garberick won all three of his events in last week’s meet against Southern Illinois, including a new pool record of 3:26.13 in the 400m medley relay.
Along with Garberick on the record setting 400m medley was teammates Aiden Maurer, Bryce Handshoe and Owen Chaye.
Garberick would go on to win 100m breast in 56.86 and the 200m breast in 2:08.93 to help the Cardinals take the 180-108 victory of the Salukis.
Ball State (4-0) takes a few weeks off from competition before jumping back in the pool with MAC rival Miami on Saturday, March 6.
Jessica Braun – Women’s Tennis
The Cardinals improved to 4-2 on the season after sweeping Youngstown State (4-1, 4-0) in Saturday’s doubleheader.
Sophomore Jessica Braun won both of her matches from the No. 3 singles spot in fairly easy fashion, only dropping 5 games between the two matches.
Braun also took home two victories in doubles as well with partner Emma Peeler from the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.
Ball State has a quick turnaround now as they prepare for Oakland on Tuesday, Feb. 23 and Wednesday, Feb. 24.
