First Day in Appleton

APPLETON, Wis. – No. 7/9 Shenandoah University had a full day Wednesday as the Hornets traveled to the nation's heartland in preparation for their second straight appearance in the NCAA Division III National baseball Championships.

Shenandoah began the day with a 7 a.m. breakfast at Allen Dining Hall on the SU campus before departing one hour later for Washington Reagan National Airport.

The Hornets arrived at Reagan at approximately 10 a.m. and following a relatively painless check-in, the 30-person party waited for its 11:59 direct flight to Milwaukee.

The 90-minute flight took off on time, thanks in part to a passenger list that included the Honorable Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin, and arrived in Milwaukee at 12:30 CDT.

Members of the Appleton hospitality committee met SU in the main terminal of the Milwaukee airport and took a picture of the team just prior to heading to the baggage area.

Coach Kevin Anderson then had a surprise for his club, as he arranged a visit to Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

SU had 35 minutes on the Miller Park surface and took the opportunity to check out the dugouts, the bullpens and a pre-game interview being conducted with Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun before hustling out of the stadium in order to drive across the state to Appleton and a practice of its own.

An unexpected rainstorm hit the Appleton area as practice was slated to begin on the Lawrence University campus, but the Hornets were able to get in a one-hour workout using the Vikings indoor batting cages and gymnasium.

Day one of the squad's first day in Appleton concluded with dinner at a local restaurant with the team's two host families for the week.

Day one Photo Gallery.