Very exciting. I'm proud of the team. I told you that on Monday. This is difficult.

You look at the landscape of athletics at this level. It's hard to have consistency. I'm proud of what the team overcame.

There were some exciting moments. There were some difficult times with the health of the guys. I actually looked at the number of games played up and down the statistics. It was remarkable. I don't think I've ever seen such inconsistency in the

ability of people to play. But we survived, and one of my main goals in this as a coach is to get

to the point where you have done enough to have a regional in your home

stadium. I think it encompasses everything a team can do throughout the year. You can't stub your

toe early. You have to play well in the middle of the week. You have to manage your conference

responsibilities to even be in the discussion. It's really hard to be in the discussion to host.

And for these guys to have done it three years in a row, I think there's three programs that have done it.

I'm very proud of that. And the emphasis on consistency throughout the year, the ups and downs of the season that you will undoubtedly endure. This is the sign of a team

that handled everything that came their way. Not flawless, not perfect. I get that. I know

our scars as well or better than anybody. So there are three other really good teams in here.

These 16 regionals are full of championship level winning teams that have produced in some

former fashion, be it the longevity of the season or being very hot and playing well and

important end of the year tournaments.

So here we are.

St.

John's is tough.

They lean on their starting pitcher. It's two good breaking balls. It's feel for what he's doing. He commands the ball, commands the zone. He's tough. There's a lot to unpack. You look at what he's done. He's thrown 100 innings. The pitch counts. They ride him. He's very capable. They're well coached. They run the bases. They pressure. I'll just start with that. The top of their lineups challenging. Then they're the bottom, they're very tough outs. They don't strike out a lot. They put the ball in play. They pressure, they force. They're really, they're really good. And I'm not going to get the coastal in northern Illinois. Those teams are good too. We have a game tomorrow against St. John's and we'll do our best. With Bryson Moore on the mound, we thought that was the right matchup when we looked at everything in front of us in that game and the information we have on those hitters and how they react to left-handed pitching and right-handed pitching and the complexion of their lineup. We thought that was a way to go.

He's had some unbelievable back-against-the-wall outings for us, and your back is against the wall

in every one of these games from here on out. Your back is against the wall, and we feel very

confident with Bryson, or we wouldn't start him in any of our games.

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