Feb. 21, 2007

Blue Jeans...check.
Tennis shoes...check.
Glove... check.

Hey there Green Wave fans! Hope you all had a festive Mardi Gras! I'm just getting all of my stuff packed and ready to fly out to Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon. We have a pretty big series with USC this weekend in case you hadn't already heard.

Road trips are always fun, and are usually a good test of a team's mettle. Scheduling a tough series like this one on the road gives us an opportunity to build confidence playing in a showcase environment against one of the country's top teams. We can talk all we want about what we think we are capable of, but the bottom line is you have to go out and prove it. I am very excited about this series, and the way our team is playing, I'm expecting big things from us this weekend.

I was proud of the way we came back from a tough opening weekend to sweep North Florida last weekend. I thought the key to the weekend was execution. We spent a lot of time that week working on manufacturing runs through bunts and hit-and-runs, and it played a big role in our victories. Last weekend we won 5-1 on both Friday and Sunday - in those games we scored in 9 different innings. That tells me we are doing a good job of getting guys on base and moving them around. With our deep pitching staff and solid defense, if we can stay consistent in that approach and that execution offensively, I feel confident in this team's ability to win.

Now don't get offended hitters. I mean, you have put up 55 runs in 6 games; I'm not calling you guys a bunch of slap hitters or anything. There are going to be games throughout a year where the bats come alive - we've had a 19-run and a 20-run game already this season. Execution, though, is what is going to win us the close games down the stretch, so I was excited to see our guys doing a good job with that approach this early in the season.

Back to the weekend at hand... let's see, am I forgetting anything? Better bring my backpack. Part of the responsibility that comes with being a student athlete is to stay on top of your school work on the road. Unfortunately for me, next Monday happens to be my biggest due date of the semester. I'll have to do a good job of budgeting my time this weekend - particularly since we are taking a red-eye flight back from Los Angeles Sunday evening. Monday may be a struggle!

But such is the life of a Tulane baseball player - I wouldn't trade it for anything. Well I better get back to packing. Wish us luck this weekend! Hopefully some of you out there will be able to make the trip - after all, it is Academy Award weekend as well.

Roll Wave!
Matt