June 18, 2005

OMAHA, Neb. - Day two of the Tulane University baseball team's trip to Omaha for the 2005 College World Series was sort of a relaxing one as the Green Wave enjoyed a relatively uneventful Friday.

The day began with breakfast at 10 a.m. and players had an opportunity to switch out their sunglasses as an Oakley representative was in the hotel lobby shortly after the meal. The nation got to know Micah Owings a little better as the All-American spent a half hour doing a live chat on ESPN.com.

The team left for Millard South High School at approximately 11:40 a.m. for a 90-minute practice that saw the Green Wave go through infield and outfield drills, as well as batting practice. The highlight of the day, however, came following the position players' hitting drills as the pitchers took their turn in the cage. While several of the hurlers flexed their offensive muscles with impressive rounds of BP, redshirt-freshman Chris Worster hit a team-best three home runs in nine swings, which drew hooting and hollering from the players and coaching staff.

The team was given some time off following practice, and wrapped up the day by watching film of Oregon State, which the Green Wave will battle on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rosenblatt Stadium.

In part two of what is a daily event during the Green Wave's stint at the 2005 College World Series, several members of the Tulane team were asked the "Question of the Day." Friday's question was "What is your mindset heading into tomorrow's game against Oregon State?"

"I just think we need to come out and play the way we have all year, take it inning by inning and get off to a good start. I think if we score early and get ahead, that will take the pressure off of us and we can go out and play our game."
-Greg Dini, senior catcher, Longwood, Fla.

"I just hope we come out aggressive and not worry about where we're playing, who's in the stands and all that stuff. We just need to play baseball, come out aggressive and do what we've done all year."
-Scott Madden, senior catcher/designated hitter, Metairie, La.

"I'm as excited as can be and ready to finally play for the first time in almost a week. We've enjoyed all the celebration and ceremonies leading up to this, but now it's time to focus, take care of business and achieve our goal. We've won four championships out of five so far, and we're ready for the fifth one."
-Ricky Fairchild, junior pitcher, Dallas, Texas

"Every team is a good team, so we're going to have to come out and play our game. That's been our goal all season long, to focus on one game and not looking ahead to tomorrow's game. We're going to go out there and give it everything we've got."
-Tommy Manzella, senior shortstop, Chalmette, La.

"We need to be aggressive, and not get caught up in the fact that this is the College World Series. We're very happy to be here, but we understand that tomorrow's game is the same as the other 65 we've played so far. We just need to come out aggressive and set the tone early on."
-Peter Connick, freshman pitcher, Metairie, La.