Leftysideson is still on the mend for some elbow pain so didn't pitch. He's been down about his injury and not being able to contribute so even though his team was playing a very tough team, and there was a 90% chance of getting rained out, we made the four hour trek just to check up on him.
We ended up watching probably the most memorable baseball we've ever seen! UNC Asheville, ranked at mid to bottom of the Big South Conference played against Coastal Carolina who is expected to win the conference and is ranked in the top 30 in the nation. Friday's game was a disappointing 13-2 loss but not a total surprise against draftable pitching. But something happened overnight and UNCA came back ready to compete.
Although it was cold, and it rained all over NC, it didn't hit the UNCA diamond. In Saturday's game we got to see the bulldogs keep level heads and fight back with just good plain baseball all the way through the bottom of the 9th at a tie with two outs and bases loaded. A freshman was up to bat and got walked to bring in the winning run for a 3-2 win. UNCA ended Coastal's 36 game in-conference winning streak with that game! Very exciting for the bulldogs! But that was nothing compared to Sunday.
Again we expected to get rained out and when the diamond stayed dry some of the parents were almost hoping for rain and could be heard to say it would be a bit hairy with Coastal's certain revenge mode. They came out after the bulldogs hard and fast. But like true bulldogs, UNCA fought steadily. They'd get a run and somehow we'd get a run. You know one of those games where no side conversations were going on as the inning was just too good to miss? And it kept happening inning after inning. The fans were going crazy just elated and proud that we were competing against Coastal and now into extra innings. At this point, even if we lost we would have still been cheering and giving standing ovations as they played with such heart and skill. In the bottom of the 12th inning with bases loaded and two outs, the same freshman that drew a walk the day before for a win, was up to bat. He had two strikes on him and with probably the biggest win or loss in his career hanging over his head, he still commanded his space over the plate. He knew all he needed was a base hit to bring in the guy on 3rd for the win. It was a nice and easy swing for a single over the 2nd baseman's reach. I have never seen a crowd cheer like that! There were actual tears in parent's eyes. What guts these guys showed.
A huge series win and it was done with the whole team. These coaches, true to their word let their boys compete for playing time. Not to take away from the upperclassmen that did an outstanding job on the field and on the mound during the weekend, but unusually, there were several freshman out there as well including 9 innings of pitching. The upperclassmen kept the tempo of the games and were true leaders and the underclassmen followed and competed. Truly one of the most memorable games I have ever attended. I know Leftysideson was disappointed he didn't get to pitch in such a great game but he couldn't have been happier for his team nor as satisfied with his college choice.