March 21, 2012 

Spring Break with the Dream Team; #YOLO

It seems as though as quickly as it started, the spring break trip for 2012 has come to a close for the Boilermaker Dream Team. A week that began in Murray, Ky. (Home of the Bred’s of Murray State); made a mid-week stop in Springfield, Mo., for a night game against Missouri State; has now ended in great plains oasis Wichita, Kan., for a four-game set against the Wheat Shockers. As the Purdue Dream Team embarks on a 12-hour bus ride across four states and 685 miles, there is no better time for reflection on SB’12 action and all that we learned.

SB’12 continued with the Missouri Valley portion of our schedule beginning on Tuesday evening against the Bears of Missouri State. Playing at their home field of Hammons Field (Double A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) served as the perfect setting for freshman Connor “Craftsmen” Podkul to carry his bag of “hammers” out to the mound for his debut start. Despite the MSU Diamond Dancers best attempts to keep Podkul’s eyes on them as opposed to the catcher, he managed to pitch us into position for our 12th win of the season. Right on call in the 5th inning a “hissing” sound was heard from the bullpen which could only mean one thing; it was time for Blake “The Snake” Mascarello to enter the game for another flawless relief appearance, earning the win. Blake handed the ball off to Nick “Strike Maker” Witgren to continue his campaign to have his poster featured on every street corner in the world and break the school record in saves.

The weekend opened up a day early for a four-game set against the winningest team, as well as home of “college baseball’s greatest fans” of the past 31 years, in the Wichita State Wheat Shockers. While the various championships and All-Americans were displayed for all to see, the fans seemed to come in short supply. The “reported” 2,300+ fans for each game must have been sporting camouflage or hiding in the wheat fields as there looked to be fewer fans than a shuffleboard match at the local retirement home. No wonder they’re near the top in attendance every year. Although no one was quite sure what a “Wheat Shocker” was, we were all in agreement that is what Wichita State has been doing to the Missouri Valley Conference since 1980. Thursday and Friday saw wins 13 and 14 respectively leading the Boilermaker Dream Team to its best start in school history. The big storyline from Thursday’s game was not the strong pitching and defense, or another outburst by the “Pack” but rather Umpire Bob Homolka and his antics behind the plate. Shooter McGavin would be jealous of Umpire Bob and his pistol action after each strike call. His punchout hop, one for the ages, makes him look more like the great white ninja than an umpire. (click here for hop video). We all wish more umpires could show the passion behind the plate that Bob has. Following the victory on Friday, the Boilers were treated to a wonderful, home-cooked meal in the All-American club atop Eck Field. We filled up (perhaps too much) on lasagna, salad, garlic bread and green beans while we enjoyed watching a Boiler Basketball victory over Saint Mary’s , although Angelo Cianfrocco thought otherwise, as well as lowly losses by Michigan and Duke in the first round.

All the Dream Team would need was another strong showing for Saturday’s doubleheader and we would roll into conference play with only one loss in non-conference play. Unfortunately those wins would have to wait as the Wheat Shockers showed up ready to play... talk... and whine… and end our 10-game winning streak, four short of breaking another school record. Although the spring break trip ended in a record of 6-2, 14-3 overall on our first five weeks on the road, there is a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths as we embark on the return trip home through America’s heartland.

This weekend marks the beginning of Big Ten Conference play and the conclusion of our six-week road stand with a three-game set against “The” Ohio State University Buckeyes. Purdue looks to get off to a good start in conference as they officially begin their quest for their first Big Ten title since 1909. Holy William Howard Taft. If anyone is traveling between Kansas and Indiana, please pull off to the side of the road and allow the silver bullet “Boilermaker Special” to get home… please.

Thanks for reading,

David Miller and Cal Gunter

(photos courtesy of Purdue Media Relations Office)