Unreal. What more can you say about today's game versus Colorado State-Pueblo. SMSU holds a 14-8 lead in the eighth inning and CSU-P rallies to trim the lead to 14-13 heading into the ninth and then with two outs, CSU gets three hits to score the eventual game-winning run. Just hearbreaking for SMSU.
A big play in the game that doesn't show up in the box score is the catch made by the CSUP left fielder with two outs in the eighth inning. SMSU had a runner at second and Andrew Kinney hit a deep ball to left field, that looked like was going to be a sure double, but the fielder made a diving catch at the base of the wall to keep his team to within one run.
As I type this in the hotel room, I can't help but think what a great experience for SMSU baseball and its players to compete in this regional tournament. There is no doubt in my mind we have a team that can compete at this level. The hitting by our guys was unreal all weekend long. As you can tell by the scores, it was a great hitting environment for all teams – fairly small ballpark, wind blowing out at times and altitude, as Grand Junction is at 4,500 feet above sea level.
We will be heading back to Marshall at 6 am on Sunday morning. There is good and bad. The good is that the sun will be up and we’ll be able to see the view as we drive through the mountains. The bad is that it will be early and I hope we can all stay awake to see it all.
Another thing I noticed at the regional tournament is weather and climate; make a big difference in college baseball. It’s amazing to see the crowd support for Mesa State baseball. Grand Junction is a big city, but that isn’t the case for many college teams in big cities. What do I mean about the weather? Well it is a big advantage for Mesa State and other Colorado schools to be able to play home games in February, for fans to get to watch their local teams play. Since the RMAC started league games in March, most RMAC schools only play weekends. No mid-week games so the need for six or more starting pitchers isn’t need as much like northern teams.
Plus playing so many games give teams a chance to play at home much more than northern schools. We get about 10-12 home games at home each season and that’s it.
It was a big-time environment for this tournament and a great job put on by the Mesa State College athletics department.
Tonight is May 16 and we were still playing baseball. That’s awesome!
Congrats to our Mustang seniors for great careers, capped by an NCAA regional tournament. Greg Laughlin sets career record for hits, junior Andrew Kinney ties school record for home runs in a season with 17.
The career stats and season stats are updated on-line (of course they are, SMSU is the best at updating its Web site), so check out some of the records set by SMSU this season.
Check back later, as there will be more to come in “The Hey Loft” as we return home on Sunday. I want to say thanks to everyone who read the blog and for their comments. I also have to say it was great to see Dan Nesdahl, an SMSU grad living in Colorado Springs, who made the trip on Friday to watch SMSU play on Friday and Saturday. He’s a big fan and that showed this weekend as he made the five-hour trip to watch his alma mater.
What a season again for SMSU athletics as we are now “officially” done for 2008-09. Two conference championships and six of 10 sports compete at NCAA regional tournaments, the most ever in one season in school history.
Until next time, Go Mustangs!
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Great job fellas!!! We know it ended a little prematurely, but once the dust settles you will look back on this experience in a very positive light....
ReplyDeleteYou represented the school, our athletic department, and your baseball squad in an unbelievable manner!!! Be proud of what you accomplished!!!