{"id":2466,"date":"2018-09-27T21:17:58","date_gmt":"2018-09-27T21:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/?p=2466"},"modified":"2019-06-29T19:22:21","modified_gmt":"2019-06-30T00:22:21","slug":"hitting-out-the-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/2018\/09\/27\/hitting-out-the-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Hitting Out the Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Thomas Marshall<\/span><\/p>\n

P<\/span>ractice, practice, practice! Once fall classes begin the Griffons start to prepare for the season. \u00a0An early morning regimen of weight lifting and conditioning ensues, then they hit the field for a practice season, leading up to opening day. <\/span><\/p>\n

The rigorous training and endless practicing has paid off. The Griffons have been lighting it up on the field all season, sitting at 20-18 coming off back-to-back NCAA regional appearances in 2016 and 2017. <\/span><\/p>\n

While there have been some pitfalls and the season hasn\u2019t been quite what they were hoping, Coach Buzz Verduzco<\/a> is proud of the work his team has put in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur team is a well-disciplined unit. A fairly new team that has bonded well and has had to overcome some key injuries this season,\u201d Verduzco said. \u201cThis has not prevented them from preparing everyday knowing they are a major regional contender vying for another postseason birth.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The birth they are looking for? It\u2019s a spot into the MIAA tournament in mid-May. <\/span><\/p>\n

The team has put in the work throughout the season. Hitting harder, running faster and building commodore. Player Cody McArthur<\/a> believes that are just getting started. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the second half of the year we are looking like we could get hot fast,\u201d McArthur said. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to being able to get in there and dominate the game.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

While this Griffon Baseball team<\/a> has a fresh roster, they\u2019re playing games like they\u2019ve been together for years. The communication was spot-on helping the team achieve the birth they wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Griffons earned a spot in the MIAA Tournament. They played hard, but fell short on the third day. The team closed its season with 29-24.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t