So this past week was my Spring Break. I was fortunate enough to spend the week playing baseball in Florida. Not only was I lucky enough to go south for the week, but I also got to spend it with some of the best guys I know, my teammates. I'll give you a recap of the week as best I can.
So the Florida trip was a big week for us that was filled with big moments. We went into the week ranked number 3 in the nation. The thing about being ranked number 3 in March is that we haven't really proved to anyone (including ourselves) that we deserve to be there. Also, it means that every loss we have will be viewed under a microscope, and that every team will be gunning for us. We planned on seeing most team's ace. Which is fine. I think we handled the pressure well.
We ended up going 6-1 on the trip with our only loss coming to Marquette. We beat Bowling Green for the first time which was a big thing for us, and we also held off some good teams like Virginia Tech and NC State. I think our mindset after the week shows what we expect from ourselves. When you go 6-1 and aren't totally satisfied you know you have a good team. We shouldn't have dropped that game to Marquette but maybe losing one was good for us. We got hit in the mouth and got to taste defeat. And I don't think anyone liked it very much. I think the trip reminded me what makes a good baseball team as well as a good baseball player. Good teams are ones who put out a consistent lineup even when they aren't using the same players in each position. I feel like, for the most part, we did that. Good teams also win and lose together and I think we did that as well. Good teams eat together, play together, party together, laugh together, and pick each other up. This week in Florida we did all of that. I also got to watch my teammates and I realized our team is made up of individually sound players. We have guys on the team who know their role. Middle relievers know they might come in and throw one inning, and they work hard to do that to the best of their ability. Other guys know they might be called on to pinch hit or pinch run at any point. And I think everyone is okay with their role. So not only do we have good players, but we have a good team. And a good team dynamic made up of good players is going to be tough to beat. Also, it was sweet seeing a decent fan base in Florida. Whether it was players' parents or the softball team it felt good having support so many miles from home. (So thank you to anyone who came and watched our games!) It was also fun to go support the softball team at their games. I'm sure I'll find myself at some more of their games as the semester wears on.
Like I said the week was filled with big moments. Moments like beating Bowling Green. But it was also filled with little moments made up of comments said in passing. Like when Pat and I drove to pick up the guys from the bar and Pat said "I love country music because it makes you think about the small moments. But, like, when you're listening you know exactly how to feel. Like those small moments feel a lot bigger and more significant. Like this song right here, it reminds me of my ex girlfriend." And Pat was right, country music does give you that nostalgic feeling that makes a small moment feel significantly larger. I guess the real point behind this isn't that country music makes you feel a certain way, the point is that this past week was filled with smaller moments that will mean a lot to me for years to come. They're small moments, but they're moments with some of my best friends, and that's why they'll never fade.
So the Florida trip was a big week for us that was filled with big moments. We went into the week ranked number 3 in the nation. The thing about being ranked number 3 in March is that we haven't really proved to anyone (including ourselves) that we deserve to be there. Also, it means that every loss we have will be viewed under a microscope, and that every team will be gunning for us. We planned on seeing most team's ace. Which is fine. I think we handled the pressure well.
We ended up going 6-1 on the trip with our only loss coming to Marquette. We beat Bowling Green for the first time which was a big thing for us, and we also held off some good teams like Virginia Tech and NC State. I think our mindset after the week shows what we expect from ourselves. When you go 6-1 and aren't totally satisfied you know you have a good team. We shouldn't have dropped that game to Marquette but maybe losing one was good for us. We got hit in the mouth and got to taste defeat. And I don't think anyone liked it very much. I think the trip reminded me what makes a good baseball team as well as a good baseball player. Good teams are ones who put out a consistent lineup even when they aren't using the same players in each position. I feel like, for the most part, we did that. Good teams also win and lose together and I think we did that as well. Good teams eat together, play together, party together, laugh together, and pick each other up. This week in Florida we did all of that. I also got to watch my teammates and I realized our team is made up of individually sound players. We have guys on the team who know their role. Middle relievers know they might come in and throw one inning, and they work hard to do that to the best of their ability. Other guys know they might be called on to pinch hit or pinch run at any point. And I think everyone is okay with their role. So not only do we have good players, but we have a good team. And a good team dynamic made up of good players is going to be tough to beat. Also, it was sweet seeing a decent fan base in Florida. Whether it was players' parents or the softball team it felt good having support so many miles from home. (So thank you to anyone who came and watched our games!) It was also fun to go support the softball team at their games. I'm sure I'll find myself at some more of their games as the semester wears on.
Like I said the week was filled with big moments. Moments like beating Bowling Green. But it was also filled with little moments made up of comments said in passing. Like when Pat and I drove to pick up the guys from the bar and Pat said "I love country music because it makes you think about the small moments. But, like, when you're listening you know exactly how to feel. Like those small moments feel a lot bigger and more significant. Like this song right here, it reminds me of my ex girlfriend." And Pat was right, country music does give you that nostalgic feeling that makes a small moment feel significantly larger. I guess the real point behind this isn't that country music makes you feel a certain way, the point is that this past week was filled with smaller moments that will mean a lot to me for years to come. They're small moments, but they're moments with some of my best friends, and that's why they'll never fade.
Looking back on this past week I have some shocking stats to reflect on. I spent a day and a half (~36 hours) in the car with Fitz, Bagdz, and Greenfield, and I spent 7 nights in a room with Semetti, Schroll, and Toby.
That's a lot of time with the same people. And honestly I didn't get bored or tired of anybody I was with. I couldn't have asked for better roommates or teammates to spend my week with.
We went to Florida thinking we were a good, cohesive team. But I think we left Florida knowing we're even more than that.
We're a group of best friends intent on picking each other up and never letting each other down.
And that is a dynamic that's hard to match.
NP: Cocoa Butter Kisses- Chance The Rapper
We're a group of best friends intent on picking each other up and never letting each other down.
And that is a dynamic that's hard to match.
NP: Cocoa Butter Kisses- Chance The Rapper
No comments:
Post a Comment