After being rained out for their first two series the SMU club baseball team finally played its first game of the season last night against Texas A&M Commerce. The Mustangs were rained out from their first series against Texas Tech in Lubbock, and the week before Easter when SMU was supposed to travel down to Commerce.
The Mustangs were supposed to play two-seven inning games on Wednesday, but after winning the first game 17-4 in five innings, with the run rule, Commerce forfeited the second game. A third game will be played if it becomes important in determining final league standings in the National Club Baseball Association.
SMU jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the first inning and kept it going for the next four innings.
Along with new uniforms, high spirits, a financial boost from Student Senate and sponsors Robert Elder and Paul Robert, the Mustangs are finally headed back onto the diamond after a four-year absence.
The Mustangs recently joined the National Club Baseball Association and will also play the UNT, Baylor and Texas Tech club teams. Games will be played over the next two weeks.
Unfortunately, the team is still lacking some much needed and desired playing time. “Our biggest limiting factor has been practice space. We have traveled to Arlington to find space and then had to pay for field time and batting cages. It’s just a normal growing pain for a new sport,” explained head coach David Hayden. The team has been fortunate enough to find an affordable practice field, but is still struggling to find a permanent practice facility.
In an effort to raise awareness and support for the team, including the money to fund practice and game expenses, the players will soon begin selling baseball hats and t-shirts outside of Hughes-Trigg on the West Bridge.
Hayden explained that there is a real possibility of arranging for a permanent practice and home game location with the help of SMU alumnus who is offering a minor league team to the Dallas area. “The possibility of a minor league coming to Dallas could help SMU baseball find a home.” Hayden goes on to say, “there are a lot of questions to be asked and a ton of details to be worked out to develop this relationship to a point where it can happen.” Great interest has been expressed in letting SMU baseball play in this new multi-function facility.”
The team is hopeful they will resume their schedule this weekend when they play UNT this Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon playing on W.T. White High School’s Sheppard Field. “I have been happy with what [the team] has done. We have the talent to play well and playing well is the expressed expectation. It is now time to see if what we have learned can translate into the game and see if we have sharpened our skills as well as we think,” explained Hayden.
The Mustangs will go on to play Baylor at Richland College on April 21 and 22, followed by an away game series against Texas Tech in Lubbock during the weekend of April 28.
Hayden “invites everyone to come out and enjoy some baseball.” Game times, field locations, and directions are available on the team Web site.
