Baseball team catches spring fever
The Utah State University club baseball team is going to try something new and exciting this week.
They are going to play outside. In Logan. On four different days.
“The infield is still a little muddy, but the pitcher’s mound and home base are clear enough to practice on,” Head Coach Ernie Rivers said.
And hopefully by the end of the week it will also be clear enough to play on, Rivers said.
The Aggies will host Montana State Friday at 3 p.m. and again Saturday at 11 a.m. Two games will be played Saturday.
“Montana State hasn’t even played yet,” Rivers said.
Being outside will be just as exciting for them as it will be for the Aggies, Rivers said.
The games will be held in Providence on the Max L. Johnson Memorial Field and admission is free.
The team will practice outside both Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
The pitchers need the outdoor practice, Rivers said. You can’t simulate pitching inside.
“We have some of the best hitters in the league and if they can pitch against our guys they can pitch against anyone else,” Rivers said.
Five of the team’s players have hit home runs. Jared Shephard, Brett Thompson, Jason Clark and Rich Hansen have each hit one and Jonathan Swenson has hit two.
“We are hitting hard,” Rivers said.
The Aggies were scheduled to host Weber State University Tuesday and Wednesday but the games are being postponed until April.
The Aggies have already played the Wildcats five times, trailing the WSU 3-2 in the series.
Utah State stands with a conference record of 3-3.