North Carolina State University Athletics
2006 Road Warriors: Blair Harkey
4/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 19, 2006
After a long time at home, we headed out for our first away trip in over a month. It is amazing how much lighter Mackenzie Mangum (our freshman first baseman) learned to pack now compared to the first trip. The first road trip we took you couldn't have fit another shirt in her bag.....but this trip she had plenty of room to spare. I guess she learned you don't want to drag such a heavy bag through the airport.
We arrived in Jacksonville early on Friday leaving us plenty of time for our drive to Tallahassee. But needless to say there are always some delays. We hit a huge wreck and had to sit on the interstate for a good hour before we got started. We got there just in time to get a great dinner and head to the hotel. Everyone needed to get a good nights sleep before our first ever TV games.
You want to look your best on national television. Playing Florida State at there home facility is always a big deal. But we came out ready to play. Everyone was determined no matter how many innings it took and we would step up and FIGHT. That is just what happened. We won a hard fought pitchers duel that left us on an emotional high.
We came out the second game and jumped on them but we knew they weren't going to lay down and die. They battled the whole time. There was never a dull moment for me out in center field. They for sure kept me on my toes. It was nice to see some action out in the grass but also a little nerve racking.
With the win of the second game we got the OK from coach for CHEESE FRIES at Outback. A G-BO (Heather Gelbard) favorite. Sunday we came out on the other side of the stick but winning two out of three in Tally isn't bad. We headed home on our Southwest flight where I sat next to a lonely finace' that had to leave behind her sweetie in Florida. I got to hear all about her wedding plans and got advice on what NOT to be when I graduated. This time when we landed in Raleigh we got our bags quicker than ever. For once we were the first ones off and no bag was lost.
What a trip... way to go Pack!!
