The Grinnell College baseball team opens the Midwest Conference Tournament Friday morning in Monmouth, Illinois by taking on Ripon College. The Pioneers advanced to the tournament for the first time since 2001 by finishing second in the South Division.
Grinnell coach Tim Hollibaugh says once you get into the tournament, the team the executes the best is the team that will win. He says getting to the conference tournament is a great step for the program, and he hopes the team is mentally prepared for the pressure of playing in the tournament.
Hollibaugh feels Ripon is the heavy favorite to win the tournament. He says Ripon is the best team in the conference by far, but he says you don’t win based on your record. Hollibaugh says they have to make some plays and get some hits. St. Norbert and Monmouth meet in the other first round game.