May 20, 2008

We ended up taking only one out of three games in the UC Irvine series. On Saturday, we let our lead slip late in the game as they scored five runs to tie it in the bottom of the ninth. We found a way, however, to push a run across in the top of the tenth with a base hit by Ching to score Olivera, and then Rowse came in and stopped them in the bottom of the tenth. Sunday's rubber match was a tough loss for us. Waldron threw very well allowing just two earned runs in 8 innings of work and Mike McKeever supplied our only run blasting a solo home run in the seventh as we lost 2-1.

We had a light week of practice trying to cope with the heat wave that came through Stockton. Friday's game of the Cal State Northridge series was a hot one, not only the weather, but also our bats. We scored in every inning, something I can't ever remember doing before in my career at Pacific. Centanni only threw one inning before leaving the game due to a tight arm. Our bullpen (Carnevale and Mintun) however, came in and got the job done to get us a victory. Saturday we didn't play very well making errors in the field and rolling over a lot of balls to shortstop on offense. Sunday was our Senior Day and for the first time, we honored the senior class before the game. Ann Ching put candy leis she had made around every senior's neck as we were standing on the foul line being honored. The seniors had a great game in our final game at Klein Family Field as we combined for seven hits and five RBIs. Waldron threw a great game in the heat going seven innings allowing only two earned runs giving us an 8-4 victory. After the game, all of the seniors went over to coach Sprague's house with our families for appetizers and a final get-together.

Cal and Coach Selna

I want to thank our great bat boys form the season, Cal Selna (Coach Selna's 7 year old son) who was there most of the games and Nicholas Fornaciari, who made it out a few games this season. I got to talk to Cal a little bit about his Bat Boy and baseball experience so far. Here is a little Q&A from him:

Q: What is your favorite part of being the Pacific Bat Boy?
A: "I like just being out here, but my favorite part is giving the game balls to the umpire."
Q: What kinds of things have you learned about the game of baseball from being our Bat Boy?
A: "Mostly, the different kinds of pitches guys throw and I like watching our players' swings."
Q: What is your favorite position to play on the field?
A: "Infield, especially third base."
Q: What is your favorite Major League Team?
A: "The Giants."

I also got to ask Coach Selna what he thinks of Cal coming out being a part our team. He responded, "I love it. The more you can be around the game, especially at this level, when you are young, the better player you have a chance of becoming in the future." The players on the team all love having Cal around. We are all impressed at how well behaved he is and how well he does his job as Bat Boy. One player said, "Cal is by far the coolest little kid I've ever been around. I hope that some day, my kid will be only half as cool as him." Again we as the team want to thank Cal and Nicholas for coming out this season and we hope they keep coming out to Klein Family Field in future years.

We travel to Santa Clara tonight to play the Broncos at 6 P.M. and on Thursday, we will fly up to Oregon to take on the defending World Series Champions, Oregon State. We hope to play well in these last few games and gather some wins to end the season on a high note.