How about the range of emotions experienced by players on both sides of this weekend's series against New Orleans?

FAU started Friday's first game of the most important series of the year to date by jumping out to a 7-0 lead only to lose by seven. A day later Ahmed Garcia followed with the Owls' best pitching performance of the year to even the series at 1-1. Then, a blown call at home plate stymied FAU's seventh inning rally in Sunday's game and the Owls went on to lose the game 5-3.

Yep, FAU players were up and down all weekend - but it was nothing compared to what UNO players experienced. Friday's readers of FAUOwlAccess.com learned that UNO students apparently doomed the entire athletic program by voting against a proposal to raise their student fees to cover an athletic budget shortfall. A few FAU players even said that a couple Privateers talked with them before Friday's game telling them UNO wouldn't have a baseball team, or any other team, next year.

By Sunday, however, despair had turned to hope. Privateers coach Tom Walter spent part of the morning circulating an email from Athletic Director James Miller stating that several private sources had come forward pledging to fund the program.

"I wanted them to not be so quick to jump ship," Walter said following Sunday's game. "Let's give it another few days and make an informed decision instead of making a knee-jerk decision."

The group of donors reportedly involves New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and New Orleans Hornets owners George Shinn and Gary Chouest, so there are some deep pockets. Walter said several legislators are also working to ensure funding of a more permanent nature. Here is a story that does a pretty good job of breaking down where the program stands.

That progress no doubt had an effect on the Privateers on-field attitude on Sunday.

"We had gotten some good news - some positives - so it wasn't all gloom and doom," Walter said. "These kids, they poured their heart and souls into the program. They deserve an opportunity."

Sun Belt officials, whose offices are located in New Orleans, are paying close attention to the financial mess in the Big Easy. Here's hoping New Orleans officials get everything worked out. UNO brings the conference to one of the largest media markets in the country, which can only help with television exposure. And there is no better Sun Belt destination. Lucky Dogs and hand gernades for all my friends!

Taking a stance: FAU shortstop Nick DelGuidice (photo) has been hitting with a new stance in which his left (front) foot starts behind him, nearly out of the batter's box. He brings the foot in to a more normal stance when the pitcher begins his delivery.

DelGuidice said on Sunday that he made the change because he'd been pulling off the ball. He figures that starting so open and then closing his stance forces him to stay closed a little longer through the ball.

How's it working? DelGuidice went 6-for-13 (.462) with two RBIs and five runs scored over the weekend.

chuck

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