Back-to-back losses to Centenary can't spoil spring trip success
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Nick SMU baseball coach Nick Whaley is writing a daily postcard, giving fans a closer look at the Cardinals' spring trip to Tampa, Fla. |
The first game was especially exciting, as we battled back from a 5-0 deficit ‑ pushing across the tying run in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two strikes on pinch hitter Brandon Haugh. Haugh came through again in the clutch, belting a single to left to score the game-tying run. Unfortunately, we were unable to close it out and Centenary won it with two runs in the top of the eighth. Senior Grant Barthel gave us a huge outing in long relief allowing us the opportunity to claw our way back in the game.
The second game was a typical, fourth-game-in-two-days affair. Both teams struggled on the mound as consistent strikes were tough to come by. It was clear from the beginning that the team making the fewest mistakes, throwing the most strikes and able to stay focused during the three-hour contest would come out on top. Unfortunately, we were unable to maintain our offense throughout the entire game and they pulled away in the end.
We had some notable individual performances, highlighted by one of the best catches I have seen an outfielder make as Brady Knudsen tracked down a sure-double to deep left field with a diving grab. As expected, he led off the bottom of the inning w/a double. Nick Winecke hit a couple of massive bombs to right-center that only the wind and a 405 foot fence kept in the park. Kevin Black’s bat came alive and Brandon Haugh was solid all weekend.
On the mound, David Baker had a solid first collegiate start and Mike Mitchell continued his steady performance on the mound. David Dahlstrom and Jeff Paul made their first official appearances and more than held their own against good teams.
We learned much about our team and the young men representing Saint Mary’s University and the Cardinal baseball program. As always, I was proud to be their coach. They competed hard on the field while conducting themselves as gentlemen off it. This team has promise and grit. The future looks bright as we continue making progress on a daily basis.
I will be signing off for now. Next year we will be able to spend a full week in Florida and really make strides toward reestablishing the tradition of excellence that is Saint Mary’s Baseball.
I want thank those who have taken the time to read my random thoughts on our spring training trip. I want to thank Tom Von Holton (not sure of the spelling) class of 1964 and proud team member on a conference championship team during his time at SMC. Tom and his son drove down from Jersey to watch the team play. Thanks Tom, I enjoyed visiting with you and learning more about Max Molock.
I especially want to thank Donny Nadeau for setting up this space, for covering our games, for being the top SID in the MIAC, for being a great friend and for traveling with the team. This is our tenth year together and I look forward to many more. Special thanks to Donny’s wife for letting Donny join us and for putting up with Donny.
Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Nancy, and my children Kelsey, Shane and Mac for being the best team a coach could have.