May 31, 2002

ONE DOWN; TWO TO GO!

The day started better than you could have scripted. Ten runs in the first inning of the opening game against Auburn, included a three run shot by Mike Cox and a grand slam by Gabe Somarriba. Just what you want when you have taken a chance and not started your number one or two pitcher. By the third inning, it was 10-10! The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Someone needed to step out of the pen and give us some time to breath. The senior to step up this time was Tom MacLane. But before he could step out on the mound, our offense again answered the bell. LJ and Rusty Brown hit back to back homre runs to put us up two. Tommy came in and scattered four hits and four walks over six innings, enticing Auburn to ground into two double plays along the way. Just what we needed from the bullpen.

Somarriba had a career high six RBI's and LJ a career best five-for-five. Pretty good day for our two senior lefties.

As I said before, our goal coming here was to go all out to win this thing. Our decision now is who to pitch against Southeast Missouri State, an upset winner over Alabama today. Conventional wisdom says pitch your number one and get to the championship game undefeated. Trying to win the whole thing means put your team in the best position to win three straight games and get out of Dodge. Our pitchers Core and Pillsbury have each been number one and two at various times during the year. So I think we should just try to look at matchups and go from there. So Chris gets the call tomorrow in a huge game. Then, Danny pitches the next game. We hope it's for a championship.

I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to wish the 1987 Montclair State Indians a happy anniversary. Fifteen years ago today, Leroy Horn hit a two run home run in the tenth to win the first National Championship in Montclair's history. All of you great guys were in my thoughts today. Maybe you brought us some luck. Thanks guys. KC