Diary

Sam
Cunningham

Past Entries

March 22, 2004

Last week our team showed just how many ways we can win ballgames. Upon returning from a conference sweep in Florida, we faced a lineup of teams that had beaten us or played us tough last year.

We began the week games in front of our home crowd with a three-game set against NAIA opponents SCAD and Iowa Wesleyan. "Everyday" Keith Meizler picked up his first relief win of the season in a come-from-behind win on Saturday, followed by an offensive explosion as we completed a sweep of SCAD on Sunday.

On Wednesday shortstop Rob Segear single-handedly propelled us to a 9-3 win over Iowa Wesleyan by driving in seven runs (including himself twice on a pair of home runs). Anthony Vidal got the win in his first start, clearly getting stronger as the game went on. Kris Herring and Rich Babb, "El Guapo," came on in relief to seal the deal.

To keep us on our toes, Coach Twardoski penciled in a game the next day against Maryville College. Tom Mieczkowski made his return to the mound after two weeks of rest and picked up where he left off, somehow lowering his ERA from 0.46.

Heidelberg College, or The Team Formerly Known As the Student Princes, probably saw what was coming their way as they sat in the stands during our Maryville game. The next day they took their turn and ran into a buzz saw as Will "Coleslaw" Carr carved them up for nine innings, surrendering only two runs on six hits in the first complete game by an Emory pitcher this year.

Finally we finished the week with a Sunday double header against Eagles of Edgewood College of Wisconsin. Hopefully they found the weather enjoyable because the EMORY Eagles remained perfect with a sweep. Griffin Baum had four RBIs and fell only a homer short of the cycle in game one as the home team piled up 15 runs.

We squeaked by with a well-fought, last-inning victory in the second game of the twin bill. In typical fashion, when the bats failed us at times the pitching stayed strong. As it was pointed out, it's not everyday the closer throws more innings than the starting pitcher, but we were glad to see Meizler out there shutting down Edgewood for three innings while we scratched out a winning run. And so the streak continues.

The road does not get easy, though. Coming up Tuesday is perhaps our toughest test of the season. We hope to return the favor to NAIA North Georgia College, who beat us on their home field last year. Will Carr is scheduled for the start.

Not to be forgotten in this recap are the efforts of our most vocal fans from atop the left field wall. Captain Dan Seiden's squad has remained in top form with no lapses or major incidents all year. These guys manage to bring it to the table for every game.

People are starting to take notice of the Emory Eagles, but don't take my word for it. Emory is featured as the Spotlight Team of the week on an NCAA website, http://odac.bridgewater.edu/div3base/2004/stories/teamspotlight.htm.(see March 16).

Sam Cunningham is a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga. He would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.