The Cycle of Life

I don’t think Cole will ever really understand or appreciate the value of being surrounded by his family until long after his college baseball career has ended but I can certainly tell you that I realize the value and was so happy this weekend when so many of our family members came to Boone and got to witness a great CofC performance. They drove from D.C., Chattanooga and Charleston and it’s hard to describe how proud I was that Cole had a good, no great, weekend and they got to witness it. Someday he will get what that means, maybe he gets it now, I don’t know but I sure do love that our family is so supportive. I hope this ride goes all the way to Omaha because I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of people there supporting #12 and the ALL the rest of the Cougars.

I understood what ‘hitting for the cycle’ was before this weekend but I don’t think I really got how difficult that was until the whispers started in the stands that Cole just needed a homerun left to hit for the cycle this weekend. I thought to myself “just a homerun” oh no problem, I mean really?? I hate to admit I didn’t think that was going to happen. Then he stepped up to the plate and I told my sister in law who was sitting next to me that this was going to be the one. I know, it sounds a little corny but I swear I get “the feeling” and it happens. I’ve gotten it before and told the person sitting next to me (and it’s not just for Cole). I’m not ready to sign up for the psychic channel just yet but I swear I do get ‘the feeling’.

There were so many great performances this weekend that I know I can’t note all of them but these were my highlights. David Peterson, I mean really, how do you get hit three times with the ball and stay on the mound and continue to pitch a great game. What a competitor that kid is! Jose continues to knock the cover off the ball, two homeruns in one game. (I wish he had hit those against UNC on Wednesday and shut those nasty hecklers up who were sitting next to me). We turned several double plays this weekend at the hands of Jamie Holler, Joey Bergman and Greg Blake. All three of those guys played tremendous defense. It was like watching a well orchestrated dance sometimes they were so in sync. And I have to give a shout out to Coach Lee for defending our team against our rude opponent at one point. I have just enough red neck in me to appreciate the puffed up chest and verbal challenge when it’s for the right reason.

I am starting to get this nagging feeling in the back of my mind and, ok, in my heart too about the end of the season. People keep talking about needing to get the 40th win and how many more opportunities we have to accomplish it and every time I think oh no, the season is almost over. This has truly been a great year for our “fan family”. We have made some wonderful friends and as much as I’d like to believe we will stay in touch I know I’ve been down this road before and rarely talk to folks that I spent years with in hotels and at baseball fields. So, I hope we make this season last as long as possible and maybe, just maybe, all my family can come to Omaha.