This past weekend we went on our first out-of-state trip to Reno, Nev. Although the seven hour bus ride was not very fun, the rest of the weekend was. I saw falling snow for the first time in my life. It was my first time being in Nevada. It was crazy to see all of the lights from the hotels and the casinos. We stayed downtown right in the middle of all the action. It was a fun weekend for all the guys on the team to spend some time together. Nevada’s baseball field was sweet because it was all turf. Even though we lost all three games, we played pretty well and should have won the second game. On Tuesday we played UC Santa Barbara for the fourth time and finally beat them. Spenser Messmore pitched a gutsy complete game as we won 8-6. We are looking to get on a role to close out the season. It would be nice for us to gain some momentum going into next year. We have a tough week coming up where we play at UCLA on Tuesday and then travel to Nebraska for a weekend series.

As of today, its been five weeks since my surgery. My elbow is feeling a lot better and I can almost straighten it completely. I have a lot more strength in it, as well. I have been doing physical therapy for the last two weeks and it has helped a lot. Even though my elbow is continually getting better, my nerve is still not working right. I still can’t open my hand. I go to see Dr. Hamilton again on Friday. He said if it wasn’t better by the next time I see him that he would put a contraction on my hand to facilitate the healing process. I am really looking forward to school being over and going home for the summer. I will be able to work out everyday and do physical therapy three times a week. I can’t wait to play next year and I am going to work my butt off to get there. Once my hand gets better, I’ll have nothing to hold me back.

This was a relatively light week for games. We only played twice and both were on the road. On Tuesday we traveled to Northridge and lost to the Matadors. From there, we went to UC Santa Barbara. We also ended up losing that game. Both games were extremely close and we should have won both. We kind of relapsed back to where we were during our long losing streak. We played better but still made mistakes that cost us both games. We have had a couple good days of practice and are ready to play Santa Barbara again on Tuesday. We then make our first out of state trip to Reno, Nev., for the weekend. I have a good feeling about this week’s games.

Its now been about three and a half weeks since my surgery. My elbow is getting better range of motion and the pain is starting to go away. However with those positives, my hand is still not functioning right. I still can’t write, which will be difficult considering I have my first test this week. I have to go to the office of disabilities tomororrow to figure out an alternative testing situation for my classes. On a positive note, I have begun my conditioning. It feels amazing to work out again! It’s nice being able to physically do something and know that I’m working towards coming back.  It’s nice to start the physical therapy. Here is a picture of my elbow right after the cast came off.  This other picture is from Angel Stadium, taken last weekend from our seats.

Well so far we have had a pretty solid year, that is the good news, the bad news is that we still have a long way to go!

Our schedule has brought us to various cities across the country and we have competed against some tough copetition.  We recently returned from the University of Vermont and you have to feel for those guys.  It is sad to see how quickly something can just be taken away…  How kids are just told to leave, and how careers and jobs are just ended on the spot.  If you have not been to Centennial Field in Burlington, VT, you are missing out on a great college baseball experience.  Yes it can be cold at times, but you don’t go too many places and see kids playing catch and whiffle ball in the parking lot with their dad.  You don’t see people in the community coming to games on the weekend in too many other places, but at Centennial Field in Burlington, VT you do.  It is a shame that will all come to an end at the end of the season.  To me it would make more sense to cut back in a number of areas instead of just cutting 2 entirely, but who am I and what do I know.

Anyways, as of now we are 21-10, 8-1 in conference.  We have 15 conference games left and if we are able to get 2 of 3 each weekend I think we will put ourselves in a good spot for the playoffs.  The scary thing is that there is still a lot of baseball left to be played.  Our guys have been playing really tough though, and I really believe that they think that they are supposed to and capable of winning every game.  That is a great thing to have!  I hope we can keep it going as we make the turn here.

Leighton

Hey guys! What a week for CSUB baseball! We won a five-game series against the defending national champion Fresno State Bulldogs and pulled out a win in a very competitive series against nationally ranked UC Riverside. The week also included two walk-off wins! Brandon Boren hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth against Fresno State to complete the series win. Earlier today, Jason Kudlock ended a marathon 15-inning game with Riverside by smoking a two-run walk-off home run to left center. We are definitely playing better and as Coach Kernen keeps emphasizing, “we’re taking steps in the right direction.”  It’s awesome to see the way we have progressed from opening day until now. I am proud of my teammates because we are working extremely hard and we are getting better each and every day.

Although I’m medically redshirting this year, this season is a learning process for me too. I am watching all the games and taking mental notes of things that will help me be successful at this level for next year. It’s really hard not being able to play, but “my season” starts on Monday when I start my physical therapy. I am excited to start my PT because I am extremely determined to bust my butt and be in the best possible condition arm-wise and body-wise for next season. One weird thing happened Wednesday morning when I woke up. I can’t move my fingers up or sideways on my right hand. I could before, so I saw my doctor and he was baffled. He said I have partial paralysis of my right hand due to my radial nerve.  Hopefully it gets better soon (I’m typing this blog left-handed and I’m poking with my left index finger haha). I want to thank my family, my girlfriend’s family, my teammates, coaches, and all the parents that have asked about my surgery. It really has meant a lot to me and has made this tough process a little easier to handle.

On a side note, tomorrow me, my girlfriend, Mickey (Jannis), and Sam (Jones) are going to Anaheim to watch the Angels-Red Sox game! It should be a great way to spend our off day. HAPPY EASTER everyone!!!

Recap from last week and this week:

On Wednesday of last week, we played at Cal. Pa.

1 Game (9 Inn) – Lost 22-9

(Good ball club, no doubt about it, they swing to hurt the ball.  We were up 7-2 in 2^nd inning but then the wheels fell off.)

Our 3^rd Conference Weekend, at Salem International (Divisional Play).

Saturday:

1^st  - Win 14-12 in 9.

2^nd  - Win 9-5

Sunday:

3^rd  - Lost 2-1

4^th  - Win 4-1

(We put ourselves in a position to hopefully make a run, at making the conference tournament.)

Wednesday this week, we traveled to Ohio Valley.

1 Game (9 Inn) – Lost 19-8

(As a team, we just hopped off the vans put on our jerseys and went through the motions.)

Our Weekend Series, at home against Seton Hill (Not in our Division).

Saturday – Cancelled

Sunday – TBA

We had a rough week non-conference wise but like I said, put ourselves in a position to hopefully go to the conference tournament.  We are 7-3 in the Central and currently in second place.  The take the top two teams from each division.  It’s a big weekend for us next week when we take on the first place team in Fairmont State at home, its make or break because it’s our last full divisional play weekend.  We have two make up games with Wesleyan and then we see where we are at. We have to go out and play D&E baseball.

Blue Collar Players of the Week:

Week 1 – Evan Gazza

Week 2 – Eric John Doyle

Week 3 – Andy Taylor “Whammer Jr.”

Week 4 – Caigan O’Callahan

Week 5 – Aaron Hallett

Week 6 – Brent Windon

Week 7 – Andrew Ford

Week 8 – Nathan “Nasty” Smith

Nathan is a junior, hailing from Moorefield WV.  He is one of my good friends and I’m happy he finally got this award.  He has worked hard for all three years he has been here.  He has come on strong of late.  He has turned himself into our everyday third baseman by playing his way into it.  He has been a great teammate all year long.  He does everything asked of him on and off the field.  He comes out everyday and lays it all out on the line and plays the game with heart, you have to respect that.  Congrats to you Nast, you deserve it man.

Weekly Senator Movie Review:

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist – 2.5 Stars

Solid movie, it’s a love story with a bit of humor.  Michael Cera (from Superbad) who plays Nick is funny.  Here is the plot, Nick, a high-school senior from Hoboken, can’t stop obsessing about Tris, his cute, blond, conniving ex-girlfriend. Norah, also a senior and an acquaintance of Tris’s, is dissed by Tris at a club in New York City, so to show she’s cool and has a boyfriend, she goes up a stranger, whispers in his ear, and kisses him. It’s Nick. Thus begins a night of fits and starts between Nick and Norah as they share a love of music, hunt for an elusive band scheduled to play somewhere that night, search for Norah’s drunk friend Caroline - with the help of Nick’s gay band mates, and keep running into Tris and Norah’s sort-of boyfriend. Both Nick and Norah have to figure out what they want.  Tris (Alexis Dziena) is very good looking.  I enjoyed watching her parts, haha.  Watch with your girlfriend, and you should enjoy the ride this movie sends you on.

Shout Out Section:

My sister Cara, I know you’re going through a rough time right now, but keep your head up and know everything happens for a reason and I’m privileged to have you as my sister. I love you and am always here for you.

Coach Palmer reminds us everyday to play the game because we don’t know when it could be our last.  As you guys know (if you watch the News or Sportscenter) Nick Adenhart passed away in a tragic car accident.  A few guys I played with last year knew him and played baseball with him.  He was the top prospect in the Angels Organization.  He threw 6 shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics and got a ND, the night before he died.  Thinking about it, you never know what could happen on any giving moment.  You have to cherish life and play every game like it’s your last.

Both of my picks won the National Championship.  Congrats to UNC and UConn.  More of a congrats to Renee Montgomery for being on an undefeated team and leading them to a National Championship in your senior year, that’s one heck of a way to go out.

E-mail me at flan.pitcher@yahoo.com for suggestions/things I could improve on.