LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — With the University of Louisville baseball team back in the College World Series, the excitement is spreading far beyond the dugout.
"(I've) followed them all year. There were some ups and downs for sure, but obviously, here recently, it's been all good," said Mike Lauder, former UofL baseball player and coach of the Louisville Baseball Club.
"It's hard to get there. And the fact that they've made it to Omaha is just, it's incredible," he said.
As his team took the field Thursday, you didn't have to look far to find the next generation of college baseball players and dreamers.
"It's a dream for us to be out there for this tournament, and it's a dream for those players to be in Omaha, and it's wild how it's all come together," Lauder said.
Next week, Lauder's team is headed to Omaha for a youth tournament.
"We booked the tournament back in December, obviously with with hopes that UofL would be there," he said. "And the fact that they've made it has made the excitement level of this trip increase tenfold."
For his players, it's more than a trip. It’s a chance to see their role models in action.
"You got guys like Matt Klein and Jake Schweitzer, who are local kids that are on that team," Lauder said. "And they kind of know these guys."
For fans who can’t make it to Omaha, Parlour Pizza in downtown Louisville is ready.
"We're going to have an extreme amount of staff here, because we do plan for our rooms, party rooms, everything to be very busy," Reese Watson, assistant general manager of Parlour Pizza, said.
The restaurant is used to gameday buzz, but this is expected to be a much busier event.
"All of our locations are going to be dramatically impacted from this event," Watson said.
Even Louisville’s biggest fan is heading to Nebraska.
"I'm going to be there on Friday night to catch the first game," Mayor Craig Greenberg said. "I'm very excited to cheer on the Cards to victory."
From local diamonds to big league dreams — Louisville baseball fans are all in.
"I think we can never take for granted these trips to Omaha," Lauder said. "They are a huge deal."
Louisville will take on Oregon State at 7 p.m. Friday to start College World Series play.
More UofL baseball coverage:
How to Watch | Louisville vs. Oregon State; time, matchups, CWS odds
CRAWFORD | The Cardinals are chasing a title. Knox is chasing childhood. They’re in it together.
CRAWFORD | Louisville infielder's double play: Wedding one day, CWS the next
Next stop: Omaha. Next test: Oregon State. Louisville draws a College World Series powerhouse
CRAWFORD | The streak that refocused Dan McDonnell -- and led Louisville back to Omaha
BOZICH | Louisville bound for College World Series after beating Miami, 3-2
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