Senior outfielder Sam Westendorf has taken on blogging duties this year for the UP baseball team, and he'll be checking in from time-to-time throughout the season. Make sure to bookmark portlandpilots.com/baseballblog and follow Sam and the Pilots all season long.
ENTRY #3
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
This is a big week for the Pilots. As you may know we just came off a sweep of Air Force at The Etz. Right now we are playing well and finding a way to win, whether it’s with a game-winning hit in the 10th, a sacrifice bunt in the 6th or a shutout performance by our pitching staff. Everyone is finding a way to contribute to each win. Our standout freshmen are making a big impact this season on top of our highly touted pitching staff, which is led by veterans Kyle Kraus, Chris Johnson, and closer Owen Jones. These three guys along with our entire pitching staff are setting the tone for the offense to go out and play with confidence.
Now, to recap our weekend sweep of Air Force. Last year the Falcons handed us a weekend sweep, and this year we have set out on a mission to gain revenge on previous opponents. Creighton swept us last season, and we were able to right the ship this year with a two-game sweep. Now for Air Force, our payback started with a shutout in game, highlighted by Kraus throwing 8 innings and Jones finishing the 9th to earn the save. Junior Brian Frattali racked up a few hits this weekend to help lead us in all three games. The series concluded with us winning both games of a double header on Saturday. Jones collected two more saves that day, and sophomore infielder Zack McCoy had two doubles in the second game. On top of the three saves Owen earned last weekend, he was recognized as WCC Conference Pitcher of the Week. Unfortunately for Owen, and the rest of us, our game Sunday was canceled due to rain.
Zack McCoy ended Saturday with a great game, but to me and the rest of my teammates, it was his performance during the rain delay on Sunday that was the best part of his weekend. After a couple of hours delaying our pregame routine, we started to get a little bored, so for some, their imaginations began to take over. As we all stood by the dugout, here comes Zack with his uniform on upside down. McCoy had put his socks and stir-ups on his hands, pants on his arms and head, and jersey on his legs. Once he started running around, we all started laughing, along with the few people that were in the stands. It reminded of the first time a kid puts their uniform on and has no clue where any of the items go, a complete debacle.
The next act included sophomores Colin Sowers, Bo Cornish, and freshman Travis Radke. This time, Colin taped a cup to his bat to make a rifle, and Travis made some binoculars out of cups to pose as his spotter. Bo roamed around the outfield posing as the attempted target. As Bo walked around left field, Colin and Travis took cover on the tarp, and lined up their target. Two shots later, we see Bo fall to the ground. Shortly after, Colin and Travis ran to check on their trophy kill of a catcher. A mysterious player and fake hunting, some of the things we do to get through a rain delay.
So right now we are driving through the snow on our way to play UW tonight. This is our first test of the year against a Pac-12 team and we are looking to avenge an extra inning loss we had last year to the Dawgs. We look to Chris Johnson today to lead us to a win, and hopefully we’ll come back to Portland on a high note. After today's game, we head back to The Etz for a three-game series this weekend against Cal State Northridge. We hope you all decide to beat the rain this weekend and come out to watch your Pilots continue the hot start. See you at The Etz this weekend!!
Stay g'ed up from the feet up,
Westy
PREVIOUS ENTRIES
• Entry #1 (Feb. 1, 2012)
• Entry #2 (Feb. 21, 2012)
