By Chris GentilvisoThe Daily Northwestern

As the final out was recorded in Northwestern’s 8-3 loss to Michigan in the third round of the 2006 Big Ten Championship, leadoff hitter Aaron Newman was dismayed.

“I really wanted that Big Ten Championship ring,” the junior outfielder said. “A few things here and there and it would have been ours.”

Now as NU begins its 2007 season, Newman and his teammates will get another shot at the conference title.

After splitting two games with Texas Tech and falling to Western Illinois in near-freezing temperatures in Lubbock, Texas, the Cats (1-2) will spend the six weeks away from home, with 11 neutral site games on the schedule.

“I was very pleased with what I saw,” NU coach Paul Stevens said of the opening weekend. “There was a lot of mental confidence and poise out there. That’s what you need to build a strong start.”

Last season, a strong start was what the Cats lacked most. A 3-16 record in February and March placed the team in an early hole in the standings, nearly overshadowing a school record 21 wins in 32 Big Ten contests in the latter part of the season.

Freshman Jake Goebbert did his part to change the trend this season. He went 7 for 14 with two RBIs in his first three collegiate games, leading to Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

“It’s about working on the little things,” Goebbert said. “We can’t let small mistakes carry over. We’re here to work on things for the next weekend and not get caught up on last weekend.”

First team All-Big Ten junior Antonio Mul