In my increasingly long life, I've seen several situations similar to the one the Boise State softball team is in. The most memorable is one that my favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles, went through.
Coming into a final four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers in Baltimore, The Orioles were three games behind and needed to win all four games to win the division. To the shock of everyone but me and Orioles fans, Baltimore took the first three games. That put the two teams tied and the winner of the final game would take the title. Very similar to Boise State. They came into the weekend needing to sweep San Diego State to win the title and in fact, the winner of tomorrow's game very likely will win the conference.
Well, Baltimore played the first three games on fire, they could do no wrong. The pitching was great, they got tons of hits, and everything was going good. Then on the fourth day, I remember seeing pictures of the stands with fans who had brooms, indicating a sweep. Never want to get cocky, especially since you're fortunate enough to even have a shot on the last day, given you predicament.
But the magic ran out that final day, as Milwaukee clubbed the Orioles to win the division. The thought I had was that Baltimore played the first three days totally relaxed, because they had nothing to lose. Milwaukee played tight, because they knew they were one game away and with each passing day, they were desperate to win. Well, on the last day, the tables were turned. Now, both teams had to win that final day and I think Baltimore got tight.
Point is, tomorrow, the Bronco players have to approach the game with the same intensity that they have. Go out and swing at first pitches, take the extra base, go all out to win, because there's nothing to lose. Everyone favored the four-time NCAA Tournament team San Diego State--nobody expects Boise State to win so stay loose and aggressive.
To this point, the team has played magnificently. But they have to have confidence and they have to have the hunger. That is their only chance.
Coming into a final four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers in Baltimore, The Orioles were three games behind and needed to win all four games to win the division. To the shock of everyone but me and Orioles fans, Baltimore took the first three games. That put the two teams tied and the winner of the final game would take the title. Very similar to Boise State. They came into the weekend needing to sweep San Diego State to win the title and in fact, the winner of tomorrow's game very likely will win the conference.
Well, Baltimore played the first three games on fire, they could do no wrong. The pitching was great, they got tons of hits, and everything was going good. Then on the fourth day, I remember seeing pictures of the stands with fans who had brooms, indicating a sweep. Never want to get cocky, especially since you're fortunate enough to even have a shot on the last day, given you predicament.
But the magic ran out that final day, as Milwaukee clubbed the Orioles to win the division. The thought I had was that Baltimore played the first three days totally relaxed, because they had nothing to lose. Milwaukee played tight, because they knew they were one game away and with each passing day, they were desperate to win. Well, on the last day, the tables were turned. Now, both teams had to win that final day and I think Baltimore got tight.
Point is, tomorrow, the Bronco players have to approach the game with the same intensity that they have. Go out and swing at first pitches, take the extra base, go all out to win, because there's nothing to lose. Everyone favored the four-time NCAA Tournament team San Diego State--nobody expects Boise State to win so stay loose and aggressive.
To this point, the team has played magnificently. But they have to have confidence and they have to have the hunger. That is their only chance.
