I finally washed off Mardi Gras and am trying to act like a normal human being these days. That’s why I’m thankful for the UNO Privateers and Tulane Green Wave baseball clubs. There’s nothing quite like heading to the ballpark to check out college baseball and it definitely helps get your mind right.
If you haven’t checked out your local clubs yet here’s what went down this past weekend and what is wrong with you? It’s spring, man. Get outside in the sunshine and watch some great college baseball, buddy.
Tulane vs. Ole Miss
Poof! Did you hear that sound? That was the sound of last weekend’s awesome series sweep over Wright State going away in the blink of a getting swept by Ole Miss weekend.
Not to be overly pessimistic but there just wasn’t much of anything good happening in Oxford. Tulane’s bats went to sleep and provided almost no support for the pitching staff.
Tulane’s offense got off to decent starts, they scored a run in the first inning in each game but unfortunately for the Green Wave they were outscored 17-5 in all of the other innings of the series. Kaleb Roper was impressive in game one before the rains washed away the night and Keagan Gillies looked good in game three. Unfortunately, not much help was coming from the relief ranks as Chase Solesky got knocked around again and Brendan Celluci had a performance (two wild pitches, one passed ball, faced four batters) that I hope he has already forgotten about.
It felt like Groundhog Day this weekend with all of these games playing out the same way. The games all got started in good fashion and then you just watched batter after batter fall behind in the count and at the end of the day the good guys were left shaking their heads. Rinse. Repeat.
Yet, what’s done is done.
Tulane is a team that is still figuring itself out. There are new guys everywhere and these things take time. One can only hope that the team can start to gel pretty quickly as the schedule is relentless and this weekend Tulane will face a legendary program with a serious chip on its shoulder in Cal State Fullerton (1-6). Before that, in what may be a boon, the Green Wave has two mid-week games versus the Lamar Cardinals (3-5) at Turchin Stadium this Tuesday and Wednesday. See you at the park.
*Photo credit: tulanegreenwave.com
UNO vs. The World (just kidding)
It was a sort of redemption weekend over at Maestri Field as the UNO Privateers (4-4) won two of three games in the AllState Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic.
The Privateers’ bats sprang to life in the fifth inning in a 10-1 thumping of Ball State University (3-4). The game started out as a pitcher’s duel as the team were scoreless through the first half of the contest but UNO would take advantage of three wild pitches in the fifth to start a two-out rally that would net the Privateers six runs in the fifth, three of those coming on Cody Ducote’s second home run of the young year. After that, it was over as starting pitcher Bryan Warzek made mincemeat of Ball State’s offense, going seven innings and striking out 12.
On Saturday, the Privateers had their second impressive start of the weekend, as Kyle Arjona pitched five innings and struck out five. The Privateers knocked off the Virginia Tech Hokies 4-2 in a workmanlike effort that saw Owen Magee and Beau Bratton both go yard, which for those of you just now tuning into the baseball arts means they made some home runs.
The Privateers couldn’t complete the sweep of the weekend on Sunday as the offense couldn’t quite figure out Iowa’s starting pitcher Cole McDonald in an 8-2 loss.
It was a comeback weekend for UNO. The Privateers had some seriously suspect losses to the likes of Alabama State and Jackson State to kick off the year so it was great to see the Privateers even their record at 4-4 with some quality baseball.
UNO kicks off a five-game home stand this Tuesday versus a very tough Southern Miss Golden Eagles squad that has already swept Mississippi State this year.
And like a fine wine with a steak dinner, every game should be accompanied by a beverage and song.
Beer Pairing: Urban South's "Coop'd Up" Farmhouse Ale
Playlist Recommendation: The Lemonheads – "Into Your Arms"
Around the Way
The weather is perfect so why not head outside and do some good?
The GolfStar Classic tees off March 13 at TPC Louisiana. The Classic supports the Volunteers of America’s Adoption and Maternity program. There are quite a few ways you can contribute. You can register your foursome to play on the day, buy raffles tickets and participate in the online silent auction. Check it all out here and do good deeds, New Orleans.
