A special L.S.U. Sunday

Sunday February 20, 2011



I will always think of this day and smile. I sat in the stands at Alex Box Stadium with my son Daniel and watched with pride as Trey Watkins and Kurt McCune, both former Destrehan Wildcats, led the LSU Tigers to victory. Trey, a grizzled veteran outfielder of one year and Kurt, a freshman who was pitching for the first time.



I saw Mary Kenney, Trey's mom, who has been attending these games for a year now. She knows where to sit, when to get there, and who belongs to who.

But the McCunes were enjoying their first weekend as LSU parents -- until today and the realization that their youngest child was about to take the mound for the team he has dreamed of playing for his whole life. WOW, what a moment!

And they were scared to death. Nervous was a understatement. Kevin was pacing and said Monica was more nervous than him. I saw Kurt's brother Matt (also one of my former players) and sister Sami (who taught Lora how to swim). They were excited and so proud of their brother. His moment was an hour away.



I walked down toward the dugout and to see if they were milling about, but they were nowhere around. Then Coach Paul Mainieri popped out of the dugout and saw me. He called me over and said this a great day for Destrehan baseball. He had no idea.

After we talked briefly, Kurt appeared in the bullpen. Daniel and I moved over by the bullpen to watch him warm-up. He looked good, tall and thin. As he was warming up his arm was loose, and the ball was live. He was enjoying the moment, and so was I.

Pitching coach Dave Grewe saw us and came over with a big smile on his face. Like Mainieri he was very confident that Kurt was ready. As Kurt finished up his preparation he walked over and greeted us. He wasn't nervous at all. I asked him how he felt. Kurt was fine, he told me. "I pitched to our team and got them out, and we are alot better than them (Wake Forest)."

He was in a good place. He was better than Mom and Dad. I just reminded him to have fun and enjoy the experience.

The game started well, as Kurt struck out the 1st batter. We all were so concerned that he wouldn't get off to a good start. But after he struck out the next two batters, we were sure that today would be special.

Trey, who normally plays left field, was the DH today. He batted leadoff and promptly lined out to shortstop. He has gotten off to a very unlucky start, hitting the ball hard but going hitless. This line out has him 0-for- 8 for the season.

Kurt went out and retired the side in the second and third, striking out 2 more. LSU started a rally in the 3rd, and with one out, Trey lined his first single of the season into center to bring in the Tigers' first run of the day. Before the inning was over the Tigers led 5-0, and the story was now Kurt McCune.

A freshman in his first start and throwing a no-hitter through 3 innings was becoming a story. Kurt didn't disappoint any of the 8,000 fans in attendance -- nor those in section 203. By now I had informed them about Kurt and Trey, my former players, and how proud I am right now. The sixth produced some drama as Kurt brought his no-hitter into the frame. With an 80-pitch count they probably wouldn't let him finish the no-hitter anyway. And it was broken up in the 6th with a seeing-eye grounder between 3rd and short.

Wake Forest went on to load the bases with a hit batter and a walk. Kurt recovered to strike out his 7th batter for the second out and a fly to center ended the threat. And he was done for the day.

The line on Kurt: 6 innings pitched, no runs, 1 hit, 7 strikeouts, 2 BBs, and 1 hit batter. Oh,
and his first college win.

The line on Trey: 2 for 4, 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI.

And what day for an old grey haired coach watching the game with his 27 year old son.

I had a chance to talk to them after they made it through the line of fans by their locker room. They were very happy. Kurt hugged me 3 times. He was bursting with joy, I could tell, but he played it down so well.

Trey was not hiding his emotion. He was so excited for Kurt. He knew what it's like to play his 1st game. In fact, he was the player of the game in his first game, with a great catch to save the win. This day was special and they knew it. So did I.

The game was special, besides the LSU win. The boys I had coached played well and I got a chance to share it with my son, who also played for me. I saw the East Ascension coach with his young son, out for a day at the park. It's a very special day, whether your son is 10 or 27.

Thanks Daniel for bringing me to the game (you too Cori). This day was truly special.