By TJ Sutton
Senior, Outfielder
For Kent State baseball the 2013 summer may not have been as
exciting as the magical 2012 summer, but it was equally important in the
foundational changes of the program. As players, we are all excited to work
with the new coaching staff. We are all excited that coach Birkbeck and coach
Marconi are back on staff and carry familiarity from past seasons. We are also
ecstatic to meet and work with our new Manager, coach Duncan and also our
newest assistant, coach Larson.
Summer is a busy
time for us as student-athletes. It is a challenge to balance summer ball,
training and getting the proper amount of rest for the upcoming season and
school year. Although, it is always amazing how we instantly re-energize when
we all arrive back in the clubhouse at Schoonover Stadium. Individually, it is
extremely important to assess our performances from the previous season and use
the summer to improve and prepare for fall ball. With the school year rapidly
approaching, everyone is itching to get back to Kent and get started.
As a senior this
season I am very excited to get back on campus and get in the clubhouse with
the guys. Meeting the incoming freshman and catching up with the old faces is a
blast all its own. Hearing about who had the best host-family, whose summer team
had the best charter bus and who had the best off-day opportunities are always
entertaining conversations.
For the upcoming
fall practice season we Golden Flashes hope to compete everyday against each
other and work towards the 2014 spring season. Keeping in mind the expectations
that go along with being a flashes baseball player, and not forgetting how we
fell a bit short of those in 2013. As coach Duncan has already stated, the
expectations for Kent State baseball have not changed and "We will go back
to Omaha."
GO FLASHES,
TJ Sutton
