Local HS team is AA and was playing a AAA team on the road tonight.
Son came into pitch with the team down 2-1 in the 5th.
Has a 123 5th,
Then leads off the 6th with a double to left center in his first at bat of the night. Courtesy runner runs for him and comes around to score on a nicely executed bunt to tie the game at 2.
Sixth, he allows two hits but strikes out a good hitter on three pitches to get out of the jam.
One of the Sr's dad looks up at me and yells "talk about coming of age" - My son is a 10th grader.
Bottom of the 7th his is facing the 3,4,5 hitters.
He hits the first batter.
Sac bunt moves him to second.
Hits the third batter.
Next kid grounds out to first.
Two down runners at 2nd & 3rd.
Pinch hitter is announced.
Coach comes to the mound tells son - "don't be afraid to pitch inside."
1st pitch hits the kid.
Bases loaded - 2 outs.
Something has to happen now.
1st pitch called a ball - coach reacts - thought it was a strike. Ump said low.
2nd pitch foul - 1-1
3rd pitch foul - 1-2
4th pitch ball - 2-2
5th pitch ball (all of our fans react - really wanted that strike) 3-2
6th pitch hits batter.
Run scores.
Game over - a 3-2 loss.
Son said his fastball was running in on RH hitters and they started crowding the plate. He said I tried to adjust but it kept running in.
I asked what the coach said and he said - "He told me 'good job'".
He added one of the seniors said, "if it wasn't for you, we are not even playing the bottom of the 7th. Keep your head up."
Just needed to share this and remind us all that baseball is a hard game. Beautiful but hard.
