Journal from the Athletics Director, Jennifer Hightower

As many of you return to work today with heartburn from too many burgers and hot dogs and aches from sunburns received over the holiday weekend, our baseball team has been working hard toward achieving their goal of a national championship. Here's a summary of our trip to Grand Junction so far:

Tuesday, May 20 - The ACC bus (often referred to as "Clifford" by the student-athletes) departs campus loaded with enough equipment and luggage that it probably had to stop at every weigh station along the way. The bus rolled into Amarillo around midnight safe and sound.

Wednesday, May 21 - Team bonding began as 34 players, coaches and staff filled the white ACC bus (with no air conditioner) and a van and headed to the airport for our flight to Denver. At the airport two of our players were the lucky recipients of the random security screening. There was some moderate turbulence on the flight which caught the nerves of some of our first time fliers. We landed safely in Denver with the bus waiting to take the team onto Grand Junction. The drive was 4 1/2 hours with breathtaking views of "The Passage" mountain region. Bighorn sheep, Canadian geese and even a fox or two could be seen along the roadside terrain. Ol' Clifford gave the players plenty of time to take in the scenery as it reached about 20 mph on the steep grades in the altitude, our highest elevation was 10,600 feet. After stopping for dinner in Vail (Subway and Taco Bell), the second half of the trip was in the darkness through constant twists and turns up and down. We arrived safely at our hotel near 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 22 - The team had a morning workout at the practice fields. In the evening the team participated in the "Buddy Game" with the Challenger Baseball program which provides special needs children the opportunity to play baseball. Our players were 'heroes' in these kids eyes as they played catch, fielded ground balls, and ran the bases with our players. Afterwards a dinner was held at the park for the teams.

Friday, May 23 - The team had another afternoon workout. In the evening the JUCO (that's what the world series in referred to as up here) banquet was held at the convention center recognizing the tens teams and their coaches. Three coaches were elected into the JUCO Hall of Fame, including a gentleman from Oklahoma whose speech (more like stories) was reminiscent of Abe Lemons, which brought the house down in laughter.

Saturday, May 24 - Our team walked onto Suplizo Field to a standing ovation from our fans. Our opponent would be Walters State (Tenn.) the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, who recorded 154 homeruns during the regular season as well as the single season homerun champion. We rolled to a 13-7 victory with timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, outstanding pitching and great coaching.

Sunday. May 25 - Each team has designated hosts. Our team hosts are Doug Thomason and Mike Anton with the Grand Junction Lion's Club. A team cookout was held at Mike's house for the players, parents, fans and fellow Lion's members. Mike's home sits on 3+ acres at the base of the Mesa Mountains with a fully stocked lake. We dined on filet mignon, chicken and hot dogs. The players took boat rides and fished for bass. The mayor of Grand Junction (also a Lion's member) gave a warm welcome speech and gift baskets were given to the coaches as well as Dr. Childs and myself. The whole evening was courtesy of the Lion's Club.

Monday, May 26 - Game 2, We take on defending National Champions Chipola College. They score first but we answer back then take the lead for several innings. Chipola rallies to tie the game at 8-8 in the top of the 7th but once again we take the lead 9-8 in the bottom of the inning. We hold them in the top of the 8th then make a big statement that we are for real with Chris Herrmann's two-run shot over the leftfield wal in the bottom of the 8th. The 9th innings finds us all on the edge of our seats as Chiplola has runners on 1st and 3rd with two outs and their fastest runner at the plate. He hits a screaming low line-drive to centerfield, if the ball gets through it's an inside the park homerun and the game becomes tied...but centerfielder Blake Lynd makes an ESPN Web Gem diving catch and we hang on to defeat the Indians.

Today, May 27 - We will all be heading to the convention center for the Grand Junction Lion's Club meeting at noon where our team will be honored. Tonight we play in-state foe Grayson College at 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned for more details and outcomes...

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