8 • GRAD EDITION SPRING 2022 | BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM
LEAVING THEIR FOOTPRINT Fifth-year first baseman Trenton Quartermaine runs to first base in a game against Bowling Green March 20 at First Merchant’s Ball Park Complex. Quartermaine had two runs during the game. AMBER PIETZ, DN
Four of Ball State Baseball’s nine fifth-year seniors reflect on their growth as leaders and people during their time as Cardinals.
Kyle Smedley Reporter Chase Sebby. John Baker. Will Baker. Kyle Nicolas. Chayce McDermott. Drey Jameson. Adam Christianson. Nick Powell. Trenton Quartermaine. Tyler Ruetschle. Two crops of leaders. One program. Christianson, Powell, Quartermaine and Ruetschle each expressed their disappointment toward last season’s omission from a NCAA Regional bid after placing second in the Mid-American Conference, the slot Ball State Baseball has finished in three of the last four seasons. Whether it be leading by example with their on-field play or taking younger players under their wings, all four players have emphasized stepping up as leaders for the Cardinals as they conclude their
The guys who leave always talk to you about leaving your impact, leaving your footprint on the program. [I’m] talking to the freshmen and trying to help them so that next year, when I’m not here, they’re still performing at a high level, and representing Ball State.” - NICK POWELL, Ball State Baseball fifth-year outfielder final year with the program. “Being able to be a part of such a special team that didn’t end up getting rewarded taught us a lot about dealing with failure, dealing with things that you can control and dealing with things you can’t control,” Ruetschle, fifthyear pitcher, said. “I think that’s probably the biggest life lesson I’ve taken away this year.”
The student-athletes are four of nine fifth-year seniors on the Cardinal roster, along with five seniors. Powell, fifth-year outfielder, said he wants to make a positive impression on Ball State’s young players before he hangs up the red, white and black. “The guys who leave always talk to you about leaving your impact, leaving your footprint on
the program,” Powell said. “[I’m] talking to the freshmen and trying to help them so that next year, when I’m not here, they’re still performing at a high level, and representing Ball State.” Through playing video games such as “Call of Duty” and “Madden NFL” together, as well as going out to eat during their free time, Powell and his teammates have stayed connected and formed relationships off the diamond. He said he believes the team’s culture is the most relaxed since he arrived at Ball State. Ruetschle credited Ball State head coach Rich Maloney for creating an environment he’s never experienced before and said success comes from different levels. “There’s a lot of different responsibilities and the game of baseball is the same, but the lifestyle and just the way of life is different,” Ruetschle said. “I think that coach has done such a good
