Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

During my four years at Saint Mary’s, I have unfortunately only had time to play two years of baseball.  Trying out for the baseball team was a tough decision for me since I took a hefty seve years off.  Before my junior year, I hadn’t thrown to a live batter since eighth grade — when I was 14 years old.  Deciding to try out was one thing, but even after I made the team, I wasn’t in the clear.  Adjusting to a team again was difficult to do, especially for me, since I was a junior and most of the time I felt like a freshman.  Knowing guys on the team beforehand was a definite advantage.  I knew there were always guys I could ask for help like Kevin, Mitchell, Brady, Brandon, and Alex. Plus, I knew I’d only look like an idiot for a little while, before I got the hang of things. Brandon and Alex were probably the last to help me, because they have always held a grudge against me for beating them so bad in intramural volleyball.  I had some of the best support I could ask for from my family, friends, teammates, and roommates.

People ask me all the time why I came out or the team; I came back because I love the game.  Throwing a fastball off the mound and hearing the snap of the catcher’s glove is one of the best noises you will ever hear.  The game brought me back, but the people made me stay.  I can remember the first fall ball game my junior year.  My roommates. Lee, Joe, and a group of five more friends, all came out to watch me.  They sat through two, seven-inning fall ball games to watch me pitch the last inning of the second game (they might have been the only ones in the stands).  It’s a great feeling when you know your friends have your back.  For a little while, I thought the only reason Whaley didn’t cut me was because of the fan base I brought.  I can’t thank my teammates enough for the support they have given me.

As for my most memorable times as a Cardinal baseball player, they would have to be just hanging out with guys on the team.  I’m sure Clay, Fersch, Swenson, and Olson will miss arguing about how the Bears and Cubs dominate their respective sports and playing flip right before practice until we got yelled at was always worth it.  The week in Florida playing in the sun on the fairway-like grass was unbelievable.  I’m going to miss baseball and being a part of such a great team.  The court sessions are going to be hard to get over, some of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard have come out of that locker room.  The inevitable track practice pitchers had after baseball practice were memorable but not always fun.  The end of the year baseball party is also a favorite of mine, being able to recollect the great moments from the season and some of the bad ones (which are the funniest sometimes).  I don’t regret anything as a Saint Mary’s Baseball player except for not playing my previous two years (I bet you thought I’d say “Beef and Brady’s”, Ha!).  I wish I had a chance to prove myself in a game.  For one reason or another, I only seemed to be in the spotlight for 3 bullpen appearances, but any of those bullpen catchers will tell you that I was throwing heat (don’t really ask them). 

I want to thank my parents, especially, for giving me a chance to come to Saint Mary’s and always being behind me with every decision I make. I would also like to thank my friends for making my Saint Mary’s experience as great off the field as it was on it.  All I can say is thank you for the opportunity to play side by side with the greatest teammates a person could have and more importantly the greatest friends