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Ever since I joined this team back in the fall of 2008, there was a bitter taste in the mouths of the veteran players. This taste was that of reaching the league championship game only to come up on the short end, receiving 2nd place. I remember the first meeting I attended. The 2nd place plaque was on the table with the coach facing us with him bantering about the disgust of getting 2nd. It was an honor to be able to play in the championship game but to come up short of your season-long goal is like a slap in the face. With the onset of the 2008 offseason one goal held constant, win the conference championship. Realizing we are in a mid-major conference, only one team would receive a bid into the NCAA tourney. Winning the regular season title was not enough, you would have to win the conference tournament. Its a sad thing to think that some teams just cruise through the year without a worry about losing or lack of distaste of it. For me losing is terrible, no matter what it is. A pick-up basketball game, solitaire, bocce ball, or a D1 baseball game. That's just how competitive I am. Truth of the matter is, winning the conference tournament is something teams build up for, all season long, all off season. Getting a good seed in the tournament is basically what the regular season title awards, however 1st and 2nd place in the regular season receive close to the same treatment. Skipping over a disappointing 2009 season, where we got 2nd place in the regular season and were 2 games over .500 for the season, we packed our bags for the summer only to return in September to build on the never-changing goal.
Arriving for “fall ball” and the beginning of the school year, our team was one with an immense amount of talent. We also had the wits about us as a team to realize that we had something special. We would gain trust and love in one another through really early morning workouts with assistant coaches Steve “Flip” Sanfillippo and Mike Goetz. Our abilities and strength were improved throughout the fall and winter and by the time the regular season rolled around we were fully prepared. Preparation, however, does not translate to success, as we began the year on the wrong foot, losing many close games with some in walk-off fashion, digging ourselves a 5-14 hole I believe. Nonetheless we were resilient and battled our tails off to insure ourselves and those around the league that we were a team to be reckoned with. Before we know it we are the #2 seed in the Horizon League Tournament with 29-23 record, 1 game behind the #1 seed and heavy favorites Wright State.
Arriving in Gary, Indiana we took on the tournament by storm. Our starting pitching was some of the best we could ask for, having a 2.03 era or something through 5 games. We went 4-1 in the tournament and ended up winning the whole thing. We had to win 3 games in a two day stretch, taking two from the number 1 seed Wright State in the process, to win. To say it was a surprise would be false, but to say it was expected would be tough to agree with, even with my bias. I mean, we have to have enough arms to win three games in a row, and the way the games were going at the Steelyard the bats were somewhat silenced. Our offense was struggling no doubt, and every one in the lineup can tell you that, however they came through when we most needed it. Recording a 3-1 win vs Valparasio in the first game on Saturday and a 14-7 victory over Wright State the following game, setting the stage for a Sunday Championship game. Chad Pierce was phenomenal, along with our DH Sivvy (Sam Sivilotti) and other crucial pieces of the lineup we won the game 6-3 guaranteeing our spot in the NCAA tournament.
There are no words to explain the feeling I had running out to the mound for the dogpile after the last pitch, mostly because it went so fast, but you know. There has been no feeling in my life thus far that had given me that kind of enjoyment and gratitude. I really haven’t been in many games like this, coming from a lackluster sports school as GB West. Celebration ensued and we rode the road of glory all the way back to Milwaukee, with news outlets and papers publishing (for the first time about our baseball team, which is embarrassing) our berth into the regional.
The next day we had the selection show on ESPN at the Oakcrest Tavern. About 5 minutes into the show we learned our destiny, Tempe, AZ regional, and we would face Arizona State the first game, the #1 seed overall, why not? We were kind of thrown for words as we saw other teams with iffy records and some with sub .500 records receiving better seeds than us. Whatever right, lets shock the world. This week has been very exciting. Many teammates getting interviews for news outlets and the AP, along with us getting meals from Qdoba, JJ’s, and Noodles. Getting prepared for the departure for Tempe I pack my jerseys, shorts, swim suit, and very warm gear (clothes because it’s gonna be 110) for the amazing weather I expect.
We left Mitchell International Airport at 7:35 in the morning Wednesday and I am currently writing while in mid-flight to Las Vegas where we will have a layover, giving me a chance to play some slots!! (Wish me luck! Or actually you’ll probably know how I do when I get to writing more).
Some observations while on board: Taking off is kind of fun, especially when we turn while we’re ascending. Cameron really hates it but he’s okay. No one likes turbulence, I dont care who you are, if you say you dont mind it you’re lying. The rockies from way above are kind of cool, but I’m not sure how much I saw. The snowcaps are what are cool. Also, we’re scattered all around this plane with 40 of us flying Southwest and they have open seating. Senior Tim Patzman, with the broken elbow is scrunched up against the window with his cast tucked nicely in his abdomen, not to alarm his neighbors with the horrific stench. Also, I really like people watching, it’s interesting and sort of creepy but who cares. Until I have something else to write about I’ll see ya later. I’ll try to document the non-baseball stuff about this once in a lifetime trip.
Arriving in Vegas was pretty cool, seeing the stip and what not. With much anticipation of our 2 hour layover we grabbed some airport grub and the “of age” guys went right to the slots. To say the least we as a whole lost money, except for a couple outliers. (Tim Patzman and Cole Kraft, right next to me ... I was furious). We then boarded our plane to Phoenix and before we knew it we checked into our hotel. The Hyatt is a great hotel and the rooms are amazing. Two beds, pull out couch, kitchenette area, and a huge LG plasma. Getting comfortable is not a problem. We left to get a late lunch at the local “Tempe Marketplace” which is a outside mall, much like Bayshore. This place was full of shops and restaurants and we had no problem wasting time and money there. A bunch of guys went to this bar-b-que place called Lucilles. It was the most amazing ribs and tri-tips I have ever had. Anywho, many guys bought new hats, shirts, oakleys, and other things before returning to the hotel.
Once back at the hotel some of us gathered at the pool area to swim and take in the sun. At this point of the day our bodies are starting to get really tired, and with the sun and heat taking a toll its not wonder a handful of us were scrambling to wake up from naps to get ready for dinner at 7:45. I was one of them, waking up from an amazing one, getting up 10 minutes before we left. (Sidenote: I fell asleep before the 9th inning of the perfect game opportunity and I didn't get to see the real time blown call, which infuriates me). We went back to the same mall and enjoyed more of the great food choices. Not too much else to talk about other than tomorrow is a new day and a really busy one.
This whole regional thing is something I can become accustomed to. It is really nice to be in a warm and beautiful city with the opportunity to play the game I love. Until tomorrow, stay hot and always ask why not?
