An incredibly rainy day began early with breakfast that required still sleepy players and SIDs alike to walk awkwardly through a business meeting while wearing shorts, sweat pants and t-shirts to find the team dining location.
After breakfast the game became "when are we actually playing?". 3:30? Nope. 4:00. Not a chance. 4:30? Still no. Let's try 5:00. Ok 5:00 sounds good.
After a quick workout with the injured players, it was time to head towards the field, but not before a stop at Subway. Here our bus driver Kurt circled the block probably five times to give us time to get 27 people through the line. Head coach Bob Heck told all of us hungry travelers to "eat half now and half later." Based on looks, I think "later" for most players meant a few minutes after they finished the first half. I waited until I played a couple of games of hacky-sack to tear into the other half.
As we pulled into the field I realized two jokes I left out of yesterday's blog. For those that haven't been to Hofstra, the N.Y. Islanders play literally right across the street in the Nassau Coliseum. Some background for the Southerners reading this...the N.Y. Islanders play in the NHL (National Hockey League). The Islanders are also a very forgettable organization, at least this decade, as my boss Allison George reminded me hastily. Apparently they were some sort of dynasty in the 80's but that is a tad before my time. On a side note, I will award a pat on the back for the first person to name a single Islanders' player (without looking it up) and email me the answer (athrjd@langate.gsu.edu).
The first game saw the host Hofstra Pride play Towson (not pronounced TOWN-son). The Pride, in what some would call the good ole' days, were once known as the Flying Dutchmen. Great nickname. Original. I found the reason they changed it on Wikipedia, which to be fair was probably the right decision, but still great nickname that is no more.
The first game was a pitchers duel until the last two innings when each team exploded for a combined nine runs. The game ended with a walk-off grand slam by the Pride.
Our game came and went with a disappointing loss to James Madison, our fourth President. Since unofficial team photographer Scott Lowry did not take pictures though, I refuse to admit the game happened.
Tomorrow is a new day and its now a win or go home scenario. Need to win four games, two tomorrow, to bring home the trophy. First up is Towson. Let's see how the team responds. The Panthers swept the Tigers just a few short days ago. Go Panthers!
