After the usual and much-needed day off on Monday, the team journeyed across town to Cambridge to play Harvard (or Hahvahd) in a mid-week matchup. It was clear skies and a balmy 70 degrees in the 'hood of the wicked smaht, with at least a two-club wind gusting straight out. Balls were flying out of the yard all day. "Excuse me, bartender. JACK!" It was reminiscent of the days of backyard Whiffle Ball games of Homerun Derby with my brothers. We managed to get hit a few more up in the air than the Crimson and finally, for the first time, put a team away, winning 24-6.

On Wednesday, there was cause for a little celebration around here. For the first time this season, we were able to get out on our field. As "This Week in Baseball"'s Mel Allen would say, "How about that!" "Where the heck are the L-screens? Roll out the cage! Get out the fungo bats! LET'S HIT!"

On Thursday, we had a 7 a.m. departure for Storrs, Conn., for a two-game conference set against UConn. The rollercoaster weather continued with a cold, raw day requiring several layers. The Huskies always pose a good battle, and that day it was no different. The first game of the Jekyll-and-Hyde doubleheader had us jumping out early, then UConn rallying ahead and holding us off in the latter innings to win 5-3. Both sides received quality outings on the mound, but the difference was the Huskies had the timely hits, where we consistently stranded runners throughout. The second game mirrored the first, only the result was different. UConn plated runs to go ahead early, but we managed to string some offense together as the game progressed to jump in front, then held off a late rally to win 5-4. Two good games, but no ground gained in conference. A kissing your sister outcome for the day.

The team returned back home on Thursday evening only to turn around and hit the road again to visit Rutgers. We had a 9 a.m. departure with a movie lineup consisting of "Rounders," "Minority Report" and "The Best of Chris Farley." Upon arrival, we were able to get in a light workout on the campus, hitting in indoor cages. Since we were in Jersey, home of the best TV series going, "The Sopranos," that evening the staff broke out the velour sweats (ala Tony, Paulie Walnuts et al.) and enjoyed a nice Italian dinner complete with Chianti, cigars and a constant barrage of "fuggetaboutit"'s.

In Saturday’s first game, we started out quick offensively and had Rutgers on the ropes. But, they managed to stave off the big inning and put up a couple of their own to knot us up at 2-2. The game stayed tight throughout, but the single runs they punched across in the third and sixth were enough to get Rutgers the 4-2 win.

In the second game, we were pretty much held in check offensively, but more importantly, we couldn't protect the baseball. You can't kick it around against anyone in this conference and expect good results. We did manage to make a late spurt and get back within striking distance, but couldn't get over the top, losing 7-3.

A 1-3 mark in the conference for the week leaves us a little behind the eight-ball at 5-7. We are a talented enough team to make a nice season ending run, but there needs to be a consistent sense of urgency every time we take the field. Now that our field is ready for play, here's hoping the upcoming schedule -- with lots of home cooking -- is the right recipe to get it done.

Steve Englert

(photo courtesy of BC Media Relations Office)