Friday, April 30

I woke up at 7:30 a.m.

Although I needed the rest for a Friday night game, I had an earlier priority: PSCI 241 (Public Opinion and American Voting Behavior). So, I went over to the cafeteria to get some breakfast and study. The test was not extremely hard, or extremely important, but it sucks that I have it on a game day.

For some reason, after the final I do not go back to sleep. Instead I got to Blockbuster and rent The Cooler. I go back to my apartment, eat some lunch and watch the movie. It is quite entertaining, especially Alec Baldwin’s character (probably why he got nominated for an Oscar).

After the flick, I go over to the field for supposed "team pictures." This is kinda irritating because I have to be over there at 3 p.m. However, they end up getting canceled. So, I go hang out with Ashley (girlfriend) for about an hour. Despite getting no sleep, I’m certain the five hours of laziness helped.

The game tonight was awesome. It reminded me of last year’s stretch in the middle of the SEC season when we caught fire. The final score was 6-2. Every faction of our game was superior to Mississippi State. For one of the first times this season, everything was in sync.

The pitching was good (Jensen threw the final 1.1 innings, I threw 7.2), the defense was unbelievable (Ryan Klosterman at SS had about 10 assists) and the hitting put up 12 hits.

I also got to face one of my best high school rivals from Louisville: Brad Corley. After going to a tournament in Joplin, Mo., we became good friends. He’s an outstanding player, and it’s always a great challenge facing him. Fortunately tonight, I made some perfect pitches and held him to an infield single in the eighth (1-4, K).

This game was a great confidence booster, and sitting in the gray area of the SEC standings, we need to find a streak. It will not be easy though - Mississippi State has a good team, and one of the best coaches ever in Ron Polk.

Saturday, May 1

Today’s morning was a bit better.

We didn’t play until 4 p.m., so I didn’t have to be at the field until 1:30 p.m. So I slept in (that is I woke up at 9 a.m. – on my own), ate some breakfast and relaxed. Just before I went to the field, I stopped at Smoothie King in much need of energy for the 40-minute run, lift, medicine ball, tubing core routine.

On days after I pitch, I feel like I am finished before the game even gets started. After exhausting myself for three hours, the game is my relaxing time.

Anyway, today was much like yesterday, except Mullins pitched a bit better. He allowed just one run over seven innings, and Jeff Sues finished the rest. The defense was superb, the offense gave us five runs, enough to win 5-1. Another win closer to a possible postseason.

We must come out tomorrow and earn the sweep.

Sunday, May 2

Today’s starter was Matt Buschmann, making his first career SEC start (or weekend start for that matter). Although I’ve seen him pitch better, he kept us in the game, allowing only two ER (3 total) in seven innings. Each starter went at least seven this weekend (which is awesome).

Thanks to three runs in the bottom of the seventh, we headed into the eighth leading 4-3. Reliever Stephen Shao allowed a run, tying the game 4-4. Then, Jensen Lewis came in and shut the Bulldogs down for 2.2 innings. He was virtually unhittable, and gave us plenty of opportunity to win.

Finally, in the bottom of the 10th, we managed to piece together a few hits (some good, some lucky) and loaded the bases with one out. Aaron Garza hit an infield single that gave us the 5-4 win. Not exactly how we expected to win, but we won’t complain.

Vanderbilt swept Mississippi State for the first time ever.

Now we go into our finals week, then Knoxville for yet another crucial SEC series. As of now we are 31-13 (10-11 SEC) – with 11 or 12 games left.

Jeremy Sowers

(photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Media Relations Office)