BY ALEC RUNYAN / Ball State Sports Link
As the baseball and softball teams both head to Illinois for busy weekends, two senior basketball players reach career milestones.
Ishmael El-Amin – Men’s Basketball
Senior guard Ishmael El-Amin had himself a monumental week as the Cardinals went 2-0 in conference play.
In his 100th career game for the Cardinals, El-Amin also went on to pass the 1000 point mark while finishing with 16 to help BSU knock off Kent State.
If 1000 career-points wasn’t enough, El-Amin poured in a new career-high of 33 points in the Cardinals 97-91 victory over Central Michigan.
The Cardinals start their week at home against Eastern Michigan Tuesday, March 2 tipping off at 7 p.m., before finishing the regular season on Friday, March 5 at Toledo.
Tuesday’s broadcast on ESPN+ is produced by Sports Link.
Ross Messina – Baseball
The Ball State baseball team travelled to Illinois on late notice this past weekend to face off against Bradley in a three-game series.
BSU swept the double-header Friday night before falling short Saturday despite winning the series.
Senior first basemen Ross Messina had a solid weekend, including the game winning 2-run single in the top of the 10th inning.
Messina ended Friday’s double-header with three hits, including two doubles and two RBI.
The Cardinals return to action at Kentucky in a three-game series beginning Friday, March 5 at 4 p.m.
Oshlynn Brown – Women’s Basketball
At this point Oshlynn Brown has become a regular in our weekly “Cardinals In The Crowd” and rightfully so.
Two weeks ago we highlighted Brown for becoming the second BSU women’s basketball player to score 1000 points and record 1000 rebounds in their career.
In Wednesday’s 82-79 win over Norther Illinois, Brown made more history by becoming the all-time leading rebounder in school history surpassing the 1,028 mark.
Down the stretch Brown came in clutch scoring the go-ahead basket to help punch her team’s ticket to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament.
Brown finished the night scoring 26 points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
The Cardinals will finish the regular season with two home games this week. Wednesday Central Michigan comes to Worthen Arena at 7 p.m. and Saturday BSU hosts Western Michigan for senior day.
Saturday’s ESPN+ game is produced by Sports Link.
Jarron Coleman – Men’s Basketball
Reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Jarron Coleman added to that list this past week by winning MAC Player of Week honors.
The sophomore guard averaged 25 points, six assists and 3.5 rebounds in BSU’s two conference wins.
Not only was Coleman scoring in bunches, but was also very efficient while shooting the ball going 11-of-17 from three-point range and 16-of-24 from the field.
Coming off an injury to start the season, Coleman has only gotten better with more games. In BSU’s victory over Kent State, Coleman had arguably his best collegiate performance scoring a career-high 26 points and dishing out six assists.
The Cardinals begin their week at home against Eastern Michigan Tuesday, on ESPN+, before finishing the regular season Friday at Toledo.
Haley Dominique – Softball
The 2021 softball season began this past weekend with BSU going 2-2 in Illinois.
Senior outfielder Haley Dominique dominated all weekend with a .667 batting average (6-9) and an on base percentage of .769.
Dominique finished the weekend going 3-3 while driving in an RBI against undefeated Southern Illinois.
Ball State hits the road again this weekend as it heads to Mississippi for a double-header Friday afternoon followed by three more games throughout Saturday and Sunday.
