Northwestern University Athletics
Blog Entry #18
5/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Hey Cats!
I need to apologize to all you Dyer Blog lovers out there for our absence as of late. I have been getting a few complaints and I have no excuses for our lack of updates. I can however tell you that the last few weeks have been tough. I think the last time Kelly or I wrote we were getting ready to play in Purdue country.
Our weekend at Purdue turned into a Saturday double header because of incoming weather on Sunday. Our first game turned out to be real frustrating. Our offense could not muster up any runs and we lost 2-0. After the loss, we re-grouped and got ready for game two. Our offense had no problem this game, and put up a bunch of runs early on. Purdue showed to be tough and fought back with some of their own runs. As the day ended, we split with Purdue and went home a day early. For me, the day was bitter sweet because one of my BEST Friends from home, Emily Knouse, came out to root for the `Cats vs. her own Boilermakers! It was great that she got to see me play and that we got to chat for a few moments after our games. I love you Em!!! Also, I have to note that when we got to our hotel in Purdue country, we were in a very strange hotel. Every room had one wall, behind the beds, completely covered in mirrors. Strange? Absolutely! Who decided that they were going to bring in thousands of enormous mirrors to cover one wall in each room? I've heard that mirrors make rooms look bigger, but this was just ridiculous. I mean, it was creepy and I felt like I was being watched from another room. It's time to do some remodeling!
So our weekend in Purdue did not go as we would have hoped, but we were still in a good place in the Big Ten to be in charge of our own fate. Our mid-week games after Purdue were scheduled vs. Notre Dame and NIU. Our game vs. Notre Dame was canceled due to bad weather, but we were able to get our game vs. NIU in. It was an exciting day because Jessica Smith, one of our pitchers, had the start for the day. Still trying to come back from an early season injury, it's good to get her as many innings before going into post season. She got a few good innings, and the `Cats came out of the day with a good win. The rest of the week was spent preparing for our weekend vs. the Illini. This has been fun because I feel like we've reached the point where we can have outside practice and never look back! The weather has warmed up and it feels great, as I am sure you are all enjoying it!
Last Saturday, our game schedule took us to U of I. Because our game on Saturday wasn't until later in the evening, Saturday morning we were able to hit in our own cages in Evanston and then hop on the bus for our 3 hour trip. Our bus trips always begin with getting ourselves situated in our seats and then immediately putting our favorite movies in the running to be watched on that trip. Naturally, Kelly and I immediately put our favorite movie, "A League of Their Own", in the running. It was going to be tough getting it to the top however because everyone was in the mood for Disney movies, like "Mulan" and "Cars", that were put into the mix as well. Great! At least Jordan Wheeler has stopped trying to put in her favorite movie, "Mr. Deeds". Jordan, this is not a good movie, and as long as I am on that bus, it will not be played. Haha, better luck next year! Once we have all our movies in the mix, Jessica Rigas is in charge or walking to the front of a bus and taking a vote. Everyone voted for "Cars", and Kelly and I stuck to our guns and voted for our movie even though there was no chance for our movie. All I know is that Amanda Rivera would have been proud!
When we got to the U of I's field, the wind was blowing out of the park at approximately 1000 MPH. No joke. Other than the wind, it was a beautiful day to play softball. This was potentially the last thing I felt good about for the next two days. We ended up losing both our game on Saturday and Sunday in the 7th inning on walk-off home runs. All I can really say is that it happened, but we are looking forward and moving on. Although we have made it a little tougher on ourselves to take the Big Ten title, that is not the only goal we as a team have worked for. We can still play well through the rest of the Big Ten and finish up with our conference play. After that, is the most important part of the season! We are getting closer and closer to post season!
Before I get ahead of myself, we have probably the most emotional, and meaningful weekend of softball upon us. This is MY Senior weekend! We will be playing Ohio State while hosting our third-annual Purple Auction! I know we have been talking about the auction and you should all know that if you read this blog, there is no excuse for not attending! No excuses, play like a Champion! It is a great end of the year celebration where our seniors are honored and there is food, prizes, and great conversation with yours truly! There is also rumored to be a video tribute to the seniors that should prove to be a ton of fun, and hopefully not too embarrassing! If you can, the auction will be held on Saturday, May 2 after our game vs. OSU. Come on out!
This weekend will officially be the last time I play on Sharon J. Drysdale field. CRAZY! Saturday's promotions include our last individual senior day, Tammy Williams Day. You will be able to complete your senior trading card sets as well as getting to know Tammy a little more. Sunday's promotions will include honoring all seniors, in our senior day! WOO WOO!!! I am fairly positive that there will be tears and strong emotions, as well as sincere thank you's to all the people who have made my four years here as amazing as they have been. I hope you all make it out!!!
As for today, we are playing our mid-week game vs. DePaul. We all know that these games are always intense and pretty exciting! See you out at the field today, it's beautiful out!
Congratulation to our Women's Tennis team for their accomplishment this weekend Big Ten Champs!! Heyo `Cats, great work!
PS. I promise it will not be another 2 weeks before I deliver another update. Thanks for your patience!
Live the dream, Little guy
