Conference play is officially underway and, although not every team has had the opportunity to play a conference foe, we have positioned ourselves atop the standings. Missouri proved to be a difficult series and as any college baseball enthusiast could have predicted, the pitching was absolutely phenomenal. The series was one in which both teams fought hard against one another and continued to fight even after the three game series was over. Needless to say it was an exciting way to open conference play with a series win against the Missouri Tigers and now we must make the difficult trip to Lawrence, Kansas.

The Jayhawks always pose as a difficult opponent as they managed to almost win the series last time we made the trek to Lawrence. But the team isn’t always as difficult as the travel. Unfortunately for us, we must take at least an hour bus ride to most Big 12 schools outside of Texas after our flights have landed. Kansas is a prime example, as we must make the hour-long commute to Lawrence after landing in Kansas City. Traveling to these universities has provided the team the opportunity to see how much we take Austin for granted as just about all of us hate playing away in the Big 12 due to the irritating treks across the Midwest.

But who wouldn’t want to be in Lawrence, Kansas, for Spring Break? For a sport that has become accustomed to never having a Spring Break, it is refreshing to know that we’ll be laying around by the indoor pool at the Marriott. Miles and miles of Kansas’ white-sanded beaches surround us with waves like you’ve never seen. Fortunately, and the only thing that could possibly save our sanity, is the thrill of another colossal collapse in the NCAA Tournament. As I have mentioned before I am college basketball fanatic, but I will keep my bracket picks a secret to save myself from embarrassment (and the compliance office). As always I’ll be rooting for the Horns in hopes that they can douse the Blue Devils in what I think will be a tough match-up for both teams.

Nonetheless, March is more than just Spring Break and March Madness. It is the finale of the World Baseball Classic and, more importantly, the second week of conference play. Just as Team USA will look to make their impact on the world, we look to do the same on the Big 12 Conference as these early games usually decide the championship when it is all said and done.   So while you and many others are enjoying your Spring Breaks in a destination of your choosing, the Longhorns will be hard at work on what we see as a business trip as we try to sweep the Jayhawks!

Forever Sidearm,

Keith Shinaberry #35  

(photos courtesy of Texas Media Relations Office)