The Warriors started the opening weekend of the 2008 season strong--winning on Saturday night at Homer and again on Sunday morning at Frankfort. The offense exploded with 30 runs over the weekend!
With games on consecutive days, the Warriors were able to look at quite a few pitchers. Seven different players pitched over the weekend--and most were impressive. Both Grant Lewis (Saturday night) and Matthias Dietz (Sunday morning) had command of their fastballs which were nearing 70 mph. Matthias threw three innings of shutout, no-hit baseball against Frankfort. Matt Taylor closed Saturday night's game by holding Homer scoreless in the last inning of a tight game. And, Matt Dahlgren threw strikes during the first two innings of the season to give our defense a chance to retire the Homer batters.
The team displayed some strengths in the opening games: Clearly, our hitting has been outstanding. All baserunners are reading pitchers better and getting much better jumps. Hitters and baserunners are picking up their signs. Outfielders are making the routine plays with ease and are doing a good job backing up the infield. Danny Poulos made a sensational catch on a line drive into leftfield in the first inning of Saturday night's game to help the team get off to a good start. The team also successfully executed two rundowns--making all those preseason drills pay off!
There are also some opportunities (as would be expected this early in the season): We need to learn how to contain the opponent's running game much better. Our baserunners must get better primary and secondary leads. The lack of good secondary leads caused at least two unnecessary force outs. Our hitters must learn to be aware of the pitch count before committing to questionable pitches. Our outfielders need to take charge on flyballs rather than expect an infielder to make an over-the-shoulder grab.
As coaches, the Sunday Metro games give us an opportunity to accelerate the learning curve for this team. Players are more focused as their actions are highlighted on the field. During these games, coaches are constantly talking with players about baseball--what we are doing well and what we need to do better. The intensity level of these games is greater than a regular practice--and that contributes to quicker development of our players.
Everyone enjoys winning. However, as we discussed with our players, our emphasis remains on our 3 Team Goals. Much of a team's record is dependent upon scheduling. As a result, there will be times when our team plays one of its best games against a higher level team--and loses. There will be other times when we play poorly against a weaker opponent--and win. So, rather than focus on winning--we instead focus on ourselves...doing the best we possibly can, working to improve, and always striving to win. That will continue to be the philosophy of this team as the season progresses.
2011 Chicagoland Tournament Champions & 2011 Lombard Tournament Champions!
