One week in

This is my return from hiatus, and I'll do my best to give you a reason to visit more often as the season goes onward.

I'm someone who gets singlemindedly focused on tasks. In March, this means writing the team magazine articles, preparing press passes, and getting everything set for Opening Day. In early April, this means getting into the rhythm of the season. Time can run short, things can be taxing.

Ah, but now we're a full week in, and it's time to go forward.

Starting pitcher Chase De Jong. (Photo credit: Kyle Castle.)

The Lugnuts have begun the season 5-1, thanks in large part to pitching, pitching, pitching. The Lugs' team ERA is 1.94 -- they've allowed 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, and 1 earned run in their six games played. Chase De Jong struck out nine batters in 4 2/3 innings, Starlyn Suriel struck out eight in 5 innings, Sean Reid-Foley struck out six in 3 innings, and onward.

I do not know how things will continue with the pitching corps, but it seems to me that they're going to start receiving a heck of a lot more offensive support as things go forward. The lineup has key parts scuffling, from Danny Jansen (0-for-10, albeit with four walks) to Rowdy Tellez (4-for-23) to Tim Locastro (3-for-16) to Richard Urena (3-for-19) to Josh Almonte (2-for-18). Get those guys going, and this team starts scoring runs in bunches.

On the bright side, outfielder Chris Carlson has six hits, three walks, and four steals, making things happen from the bottom part of the order. As a team, Lansing has 11 stolen bases.

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From the current Lugnuts to the recent past, two alumni put in superb outings last night.

Kendall Graveman '14 pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings for the Athletics, combining with four relievers on a shutout. (Jake Marisnick '11 did collect one of the Astros' eight hits in the game, and is now batting .318.)

Anthony "Disco" DeSclafani '12 pitched 7 scoreless innings, helping the Reds beat the Cubs at Wrigley.

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I'm watching Daredevil on Netflix. It's superb.

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Lastly, hear from Lugnuts manager Ken Huckaby.