Tucker Rubino, a senior and starting shortstop on the Eastern Michigan University baseball team, had a good night, going 2-for-5 in a 9-7 win on the road Saturday against Ohio University.
“We won 9-7, it was a well played game,” Rubino said. “And we hit really well on the day. Our bullpen gave a couple hits late, but we overcame it and pulled out a hard fought win.”
For a player who is from Glendale, Arizona, the weather was one of the first obstacles and harder challenges when first starting to play baseball in the harsh winter and spring seasons of Michigan.
“The first year living here, it was really hard because I was really used to great weather every day in Arizona,” Rubino said.
“I wasn’t used to playing in cold, 40 degree weather with a lot of wind and cold blowing against you. I remember last year, the winter here was just absolutely brutal outside. It’s already a really tough game, and it makes the game a lot harder and you just learn to deal with it. It really makes you a better player and tougher.”
Constantly being on the road was one of the many challenges facing the team, who got off to a rough start at the beginning of the season.
The Eagles opened the 2012 season on a road trip, playing tough teams such as Kentucky, Wake Forest and Duke. But the team has been improving as of late. It holds a 10-15 record.
“It’s really difficult sometimes because we are always traveling from place to place, and it’s so cold here,” Rubino said.
“And we have a lot of mid-week games, and they are on the road as well. You really got to make sure to communicate with your teachers and hope they understand when it comes to assignments and things.”
Rubino has a lot of faith in the team this year and believes the Eagles can still win the MAC championship this year.
“I really think our team has a chance to win the MAC,” Rubino said. “We started out a little rough this season on the road at first, but we are picking up steam and are getting into the rhythm of things.
“It’s a really long regular season, and you’re going to lose some games. We got a really good veteran team. We got a pretty heavy junior and senior lineup, which can do a lot of damage.”
Tucker, who is a senior this year, has a younger brother who just arrived on the team. His name is John Rubino, and he is a freshman second baseman, and Tucker is not afraid to remind him of his place on the team.
“Oh yeah I make sure he gets his fair share of work on the team,” Rubino said laughing. “I don’t let him take it easy, but it’s all in good fun.”
Rubino is batting .282 with 8 RBI this season. He has started every game except one and really hopes to finish this season
with a MAC championship.
He is a psychology major and is open to the idea of trying to play professionally if the option was to open up to him in the
future.
“I’m open to the idea if the opportunity presents itself, but I don’t have my heart set on it,” Rubino said. “I would like
to but baseball has to end eventually, and I’m focused right now on just having a good season and for the team to win the MAC.”
