Confidence makes a big difference on the field

Hey Rebel Fans,

Last week I think we got our swagger back a little bit. We had a big win over Arizona State, which I talked about in my last post, and then we took that momentum on the road and won our series over Ohio State.

Our guys went out there and played with confidence, which was really nice. We went 2-1 against the Buckeyes, but we played better as a team in all three games. The first game that we lost was a little bit unlucky and untimely, but that’s how baseball is sometimes. We have seen our fair share of that this season.

I was really proud of our guys responding in the next two games; we didn’t get down, we just went to work. D.J. Myers came out on Saturday and was throwing all of his pitches for strikes and he was throwing hard. He was pitching like he was at the beginning of the season. Our guys kind of rallied around that and we executed and played the game the right way.

On Sunday, we showed up and just mashed the ball around their ballpark. We came out with some confidence, felt good at the plate and their pitcher wasn’t throwing too many strikes. We really came out and swung it well and that was great feeling and a good series victory over a very tough team.

It’s really nice that our bats have come to life in the last few games, and like we have said all along ‘if we can get both our pitching and our hitting going at the same time we feel like we would be a force to be reckoned with.’ I’m sure our pitchers appreciate having the run support and a little extra cushion.

We look to keep the momentum up this week as we resume Mountain West play against New Mexico. We will host the Lobos for three games beginning on Friday and we know that all three contests are going to be tough.

UNM can always swing it. Their hitting coach is phenomenal and every year they have five or six guys that can hurt you at any point in the game. We will definitely have to be on, both offensively and defensively. It’s going to be nice to be back playing at home because we have been playing pretty well there and hopefully we can get a big crowd out for the games.

One thing I am really excited for is to see an old coach again as Tony Cappuccilli returns to Earl E. Wilson Stadium with the Lobos. Coach Capp was our volunteer coach last season and now he is with New Mexico. He is one of my favorite guys that I have ever played for and I’m definitely excited to see him. That being said, we are going to have to change some things up. Obviously he is going to want to win with his team and we are going to want to win, but in general I’m excited to see him.

I hear the promotion they are doing for Friday night is “Guys Night Out” and all of the guys will receive half priced tickets. Also the first 250 guys through the gate will get a sick UNLV baseball key chain. I’m going to have to find a way to get my hands on one of those.

On Saturday, we will have our game after the football team has its Spring Showcase at Peter Johann Soccer Field. They will be handing out half-price ticket vouchers for the baseball game at the showcase.

The football showcase starts at noon, but it will be over before our game starts. If you didn’t have plans for Saturday… Now you do! It should be a great day, so come down to UNLV.

And of course on Sunday, kids will run the bases after the game. Kids 12 and under are always free and we love seeing them run the bases after our games.

Thanks for reading and we will see you at the yard!

-Erik VanMeetren.