I asked four students who play for the Lynx to write brief personal essays reflecting on their experience with the team. I could have asked any four of the thirty-three men on the roster--that's how thoughtful and articulate our players are. But, based partly on who I ran into at the Rat on Wednesday and partly on my esteem for these four, I invited Andy Boucher '10, John Robert Bizzell '09, Richard Hurd '08, and Daniel Killary '07.  I'll be posting their essays as they come in.

Andy Boucher, 2B, class of 2010

When I decided to come to Rhodes, I didn't quite know what to expect from Rhodes baseball. I did not know what DIII baseball was all about, and I thought it might be a step down from high school. I was wrong. The competition has been very strong, and the games are much more competitive than I ever expected. This makes it that much more satisfying that we have had such a successful season.

I had other worries about moving from high school to college baseball. I was especially worried about making the adjustment from leading a team as a senior in high school to being the lowest on the totem pole as a freshman in college. It could have been a hard pill to swallow. But the upperclassmen and coaches really made the adjustment manageable. Coaches give freshmen a legitimate opportunity to play, and the upperclassmen show the freshmen due respect. The things I am most appreciative of this year are the relationships I have with the older guys on the team. After road trips, spring break, and (so far) forty-six games, I have had some absolutely unforgettable experiences with these guys.

Overall, my first year as a DIII baseball player has been incredible. I have learned a great deal about what it means to be a true student-athlete. I have also experienced a sixteen-game winning streak that included a ten-day road trip. Best of all, I get to say that I am part of what could be the greatest team in Rhodes history, and that is something irreplaceable.