Hot dogs, cracker jacks, country music and the smell of freshly mowed grass. Soon, baseball will be back on the Palouse, and with it comes the first signs of spring.
First, however, the Cougars will spend three weeks on the road, beginning with a four-game series to open the season against No. 5–ranked Arkansas.
The Razorbacks present a unique challenge for the Cougs. It is rare that Wazzu gets to start the season against a ranked opponent. Arkansas, on paper, is the best team the Cougars will play this year.
The series will begin on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and finish on President’s Day, Feb. 17. For the Cougars, the opportunity to compete against one of the best teams in the country is exciting.
“Going down to Arkansas and playing in that environment against one of the top five teams nationally, it’s hard not to get excited about that,” said assistant coach Joseph Perez. “That’s why we coach, that’s why the players play. You want an opportunity to compete against the best.”
Pitcher Troy Shepard said he was more excited than nervous to play the Razorbacks.
“I feel like the environment is gonna be really fun,” said Shepard. “With the preparation that we’ve put in, I feel like we have a very, very good chance of putting on a show for everybody and representing Pullman very well.”
Hitting coach Eric Hutting said the team would focus on their mentality and their confidence, as Arkansas boasts an impressive staff of pitchers.
“Compete,” said Hutting. “They’re gonna have good arms, but you know, we’re ready to just go up there with the right mentality, a lot of confidence…and stay true to our identity.”
Assistant coach Tommy Richards did not want to overstate the importance of any game.
“Right now the game we’re excited about is Friday night at Arkansas,” said Richards. “To kind of pick and choose games that you’re excited for, it’s kind of disrespectful to the rest of the schedule.”
Junior infielder Ricco Longo might disagree. He said he was especially looking forward to the opening series because it gives the team a chance to prove their worth.
“It could be pressure,” said Longo. “But I feel like we’ve put in the preparation and the time…we need to go out there and do what we need to do, and we’ll be just fine.”
He said he knows the Razorbacks will also be at the top of their game, as it is their home opener.
“They’re gonna come out there and trying to, you know, beat us up,” said Longo. “We’re gonna be putting the ball in play…we’re gonna challenge them to make plays and we’re gonna play good defense…we’re gonna play good fundamental baseball.”
