Porcaro is back in the saddle for his fourth and final season of blogging. Today is his third entry for the 2015 season.
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We’ve reached the halfway point of our season and find ourselves at 17-11 overall and 6-8 in conference. Looking back, there are a lot of positives that we can build on as we go into the second half. So far we have swept an SEC team (Mizzou), beat a Big Ten team (#15 Iowa) and thrown a no-hitter to name a few things. We got off to the best start in program history, so there is no doubt about the talent this team has. We know we’ve let a lot of games get away from us and that is where we have to improve as we move into the second half.
The old saying goes “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” We can still gain ground in conference and have a lot of opportunities during mid-week games. It all starts tomorrow against Western Illinois and I can’t wait to get back on the field.
Now, onto our next ‘Call to the Pen’. This man is a member of the ‘Knuckleheads’ (our bullpen). He is a freshman from Plover, Wisconsin and is Frank Kaminsky’s lookalike, just about 9 inches shorter and not as good at basketball. Some days he dresses like Harry Styles from One Direction and other days he dresses like Rob Dyrdek. All jokes aside he has been a joy to have on the team and has a bright future ahead of him as a Panther.
Paco: Explain to me what was going through your head the first time you took the mound as a Panther?
Austin Schulfer: Well, I was kind of nervous, but I wasn’t extremely nervous. I kind of wanted to prove myself because it was an actual game.
Paco: How’s the transition been from high school to college ball?
Schulf: It’s not like crazy, but it’s obviously more competitive and the games mean a little more. The talent level is a lot better and every team is good one through nine in the batting order. It’s not hard to transition; it’s the same game, just different people.
Paco: What’s one of your favorite things about Milwaukee?
Schulf: I like how there is something new always going on whether it’s a concert, a game, festivals, etc. It’s way better than being in Point (laughs). It’s really boring there.
Paco: If you had to go on a cross-country roadtrip with three of our teammates, who would it be and why?
Schulf: You and Varsh, because you guys are a good time and I don’t think I’d get annoyed of you during the roadtrip. And then probably Tell because he’s a hoot.
Paco: Guys compare you to Frank Kaminsky, Rob Dyrdek, and Harry Styles in terms off the way you look and dress. Which one of those comparisons is your favorite?
Schulf: I like the Harry Styles and Frank Kaminsky combination because Harry is a good-looking brother but Frank Kaminsky is athletic looking. So, I’m a mixture between both.
Paco: Unfortunately, for all the Milwaukee ladies out there, you’re a taken man and your girlfriend, Elizabeth, actually goes to school here. What’s your guys ideal date night?
Schulf: Our spot is Solo’s Pizza on Oakland Avenue. We always get a large chicken bacon and ranch pizza with no tomatoes and I always get a coke and she always gets a water. (How adorable!)
Quick Hits…
Favorite food: Used to be cheese curds but I’ve had way too many from Palms that I can’t even stomach them anymore.
Favorite movie: For The Love of The Game
Favorite baseball player: Jeff Samardzija
Pet peeve: Hearing people chew food.
Vacation spot: Mexico
Celebrity crush: Young Jennifer Anniston from Friends (I agree!)
Song you’d want to perform on a karaoke stage: Best Day Ever by Mac Miller
Young Schulf Daddy
