Taking on a New Role

Jeff Soulages and Jon Wilhite aren’t used to being fans.

I ran into the pair before the team’s first game Friday at Titan House – a place neither expected to be spending their Omaha experiences just a few months ago.

Soulages and Wilhite are both members of the baseball team, but neither is able to suit up and participate in games during the World Series. Soulages, a sophomore pitcher, tore a ligament in his elbow in March and is now out after having Tommy John surgery in April. Wilhite, a redshirt sophomore catcher, is behind John Curtis and Cory Vanderhook on the depth chart. And because CWS rosters are limited to a precious 25 spots, there wasn’t room for either on the active roster.

Both, however, were able to travel with the team. This is Soulages’ first CWS experience with the Titans. But for Wilhite, this is the second time he’s been unable to join his teammates in the dugout. Wilhite was a redshirt freshman when the Titans won the title in 2004, but couldn’t travel with the team to Omaha because of his redshirt year. He does, however, own a championship ring and did get to make the trip to Washington D.C. when the Titans were honored by President Bush at the White House.

Stopping by the Titan House was obviously a bitter-sweat experience for the duo, but they were both encouraged by the support they saw and will continue to serve as loyal fans and rally behind their teammates.

“I’ve never really met anyone here because I’m always on the field,” Soulages said. “So it’s nice to be able to meet everyone that supports the program.”

Added Wilhite: “I got to work out with the team (during practice) Thursday and be on the field during the opening ceremonies. It’s a lot different being a fan than it is a player.”