Clock struck midnight last night.
We had to lose twice to a team we were 4-0 against this season, all games being very close nail bitters.
Son pitched the first, threw 6 great innings, gave up an infield single to start the 7th and they took him out with a 3-2 lead. The reliever had them down to the last strike twice before they came back to win 4-3.
Lost the nightcap 4-0.
The story was probably the opposing pitcher. He pitched the last 4 innings of the first game, then after an hour break, came back and threw all 7 in the night cap. I counted 170 pitches, newspaper said 172. It was somewhere in there. He dominated and got stronger. Great competitor, but at what price?
Oh well, my wife and I will go out and celebrate our anniversary instead of going to the championship game. That isn't so bad, is it?
bballman,
I didn't know your coach is leaving. Hard to believe you guys can't hire a coach. Your son can come play for the hornets next season!
I didn't know your coach is leaving. Hard to believe you guys can't hire a coach. Your son can come play for the hornets next season!
Yeah, it's too bad cause son liked him. Fulton county is on a big hiring freeze right now. No new staff - many staff hours being cut back.
I don't know about the Hornets. Good program, but have heard many horror stories with families there. All hearsay and one side of the story, but I think we'll stay where we are.
Just heard last night that coach is pretty much requiring all his players to play for the HS summer team this summer over there. Glad I am not in a position to have to make that choice.
We got recruited by the Jr. Hornet coach a couple of years ago - bbson's response - "I'm not gonna be no stinkin' Hornet". Nothing personal Knapper, but a good old fashioned cross town rivalry can be fun.
I don't know about the Hornets. Good program, but have heard many horror stories with families there. All hearsay and one side of the story, but I think we'll stay where we are.
Just heard last night that coach is pretty much requiring all his players to play for the HS summer team this summer over there. Glad I am not in a position to have to make that choice.
We got recruited by the Jr. Hornet coach a couple of years ago - bbson's response - "I'm not gonna be no stinkin' Hornet". Nothing personal Knapper, but a good old fashioned cross town rivalry can be fun.
None taken. I don't know the politics yet as we have a few years to go to worry about it. I'm sure every school has some issues. I think they have a few D1 scholarships so that is good.
No doubt, like I said, they have a very good program. A lot of great ball players. In fact, at one point, they were ranked #15 in the country by either Baseball America or Perfect Game. I was surprised to see them get knocked out of the playoffs so early this year.
My son has his freshman championship game tomorrow at Grossmont High School vs. Santana High School! Should be very exciting!
Good luck Myboysmom. Hope all goes well.
JMoff - Sorry to hear your season is over. Tough way to lose...
We won our semi-final game and play for the 1A State Title today!
We won 2-1 behind our #1 pitcher in a very exciting game. We were leading 2-1 when they loaded the bases on three consecutive singles (the last deep in the SS hole that son was able to keep in the infield and hold the runner at third). The next hitter was 3-1 before striking out and last hitter grounded out to end the threat.
In the seventh our CF dropped a ball that he lost in the lights (hey...we're 1A, this was our first game with lights all season) but then flagged down a drive into the LCF gap that looked like it was going to end the game (at that point they had two on and one out). Last batter K'd to end the game and send us into the championship!!!!
Our HS has only been playing sports for three years (last year was out first senior class). This is our first shot at a state championship in any sport so we're really excited, to say the least...
We won our semi-final game and play for the 1A State Title today!
We won 2-1 behind our #1 pitcher in a very exciting game. We were leading 2-1 when they loaded the bases on three consecutive singles (the last deep in the SS hole that son was able to keep in the infield and hold the runner at third). The next hitter was 3-1 before striking out and last hitter grounded out to end the threat.
In the seventh our CF dropped a ball that he lost in the lights (hey...we're 1A, this was our first game with lights all season
) but then flagged down a drive into the LCF gap that looked like it was going to end the game (at that point they had two on and one out). Last batter K'd to end the game and send us into the championship!!!!Our HS has only been playing sports for three years (last year was out first senior class). This is our first shot at a state championship in any sport so we're really excited, to say the least...
myboysmom and Hawk19 --Good luck to both in your quest--Hawk19 sounds like a heart-stopper semi congrats
Well, the freshman Grossmont Foothillers are the champions! Our season was 18-2...not bad at all!!
Hawk19 - Just saw that Tanque Verde beat Bagdad 6-3. By process of ellimination from your posts, you must be from Tanque Verde, so congratulations are in order!
Hey, if our CF catches a relatively routine fly ball Thursday afternoon, we would've been playing Corona last night instead of Hamilton...
Woulda, shoulda and coulda.
I'm up early on a Sunday because summer ball tryouts are this morning. Our two day off season is over...
Hey, if our CF catches a relatively routine fly ball Thursday afternoon, we would've been playing Corona last night instead of Hamilton...
Woulda, shoulda and coulda.
I'm up early on a Sunday because summer ball tryouts are this morning. Our two day off season is over...
Lost playoff game with a spectacular collapse.
Son did well overall and is happy with his performance. I don't know any stats, but he got 3 jv wins and 2 v.
Excepting the summer heat and humidity - we are looking forward to summer ball.
Son did well overall and is happy with his performance. I don't know any stats, but he got 3 jv wins and 2 v.
Excepting the summer heat and humidity - we are looking forward to summer ball.
NONE and DONE!! 
Last game this past Tuesday, we finished the second half of the season going 4-2, so maybe there is hope. GED10 had a pinch hit smash in our final game, we were playing all the non-starters and seniors. He did a great job cheerleading before the pinch hit...
Have a great summer everyone! Good luck to all those teams/players still in it! Here comes summer ball, not a minute too soon!!
GED10DaD
Last game this past Tuesday, we finished the second half of the season going 4-2, so maybe there is hope. GED10 had a pinch hit smash in our final game, we were playing all the non-starters and seniors. He did a great job cheerleading before the pinch hit...
Have a great summer everyone! Good luck to all those teams/players still in it! Here comes summer ball, not a minute too soon!!
YES!!! We are Tanque Verde and we are the Arizona 1A State Champions! Beat the Bagdad Sultans 6-3 at Surprise Stadium.
My son has played and won a lot of travel tournaments, including a 13u National Championship, but nothing compares to this. It's different when there isn't another chance next week. We lose four seniors (C, P, 2b and CF) that have been with the team since it started three years ago, so I'm really happy for them.
I hate to see it end, but summer ball starts next week so there isn't much downtime.
My son has played and won a lot of travel tournaments, including a 13u National Championship, but nothing compares to this. It's different when there isn't another chance next week. We lose four seniors (C, P, 2b and CF) that have been with the team since it started three years ago, so I'm really happy for them.
I hate to see it end, but summer ball starts next week so there isn't much downtime.
JMoff - there was an article in the paper here in Tucson about the pitcher who threw 170+ pitches against you guys. Turns out he's an Arizona commit...The sports writer is outraged and wants the AIA to step in set pitch count limits. He's concerned about the program getting 'damaged goods'.
Looks like that coach isn't making any friends among the scouts etc....
Looks like that coach isn't making any friends among the scouts etc....
Hawk19 - Congrats!!!!
Yes, we were in a close game (my freshman son pitching) with a 3-0 lead in about the 4th. The player in question was brought in and struggled through the 4th - 7th. We had runners on base and were this '' close to scoring in all 4 innings. We didn't.
My son threw to one batter in the top of the 7th and gave up an infield hit (wrongly called an error in the newspaper). He was removed (no outs, runner at first, up 3-2). Next batter is a K, batter after that is a ground ball just to the right of our first baseman, second baseman ranges over and tries a quick scoop and throw and muffs the ball (probably a VERY tough error). Next batter is a K, so two out, two on, still up by one. Next batter is down 1-2, VERY close outside fastball for ball two. Next pitch is VERY close fastball on the outside for ball three. Next pitch is a hanging curveball, batter sticks bat out and lines a single over the first baseman's head. Tie game.
Next kid is 0-2. Fastball is down the middle and line drive up the middle for a 4-3 deficit. (breath).
Pitcher in question has thrown 75 pitches in 4 innings. We know they're thin. Long break (45-60 minutes). They announce same pitcher coming back.
He is an animal. Fastball is HARD, curve ball is SHARP. He goes through our team like butter. He threw the next 7 and really didn't show any signs of tiring until about pitch #160. He struck out 16 in the second game and only gave us three hits. We had three runners reach on dropped third strikes. Frankly, he was awesome. The catcher couldn't even catch the ball.
I just pray that he didn't hurt himself...
It was a tough two losses to take and I STRONGLY suspect that the U of A coaches are a little bit upset. The press up here was not very complimentary either, calling for the coach's head.
The pitcher in question missed a significant part of the early part of the season with arm trouble. He's a 5'7" guy who throws ~90. He's max effort.
Didn't seem prudent to throw him 172 to me.
Yes, we were in a close game (my freshman son pitching) with a 3-0 lead in about the 4th. The player in question was brought in and struggled through the 4th - 7th. We had runners on base and were this '' close to scoring in all 4 innings. We didn't.
My son threw to one batter in the top of the 7th and gave up an infield hit (wrongly called an error in the newspaper). He was removed (no outs, runner at first, up 3-2). Next batter is a K, batter after that is a ground ball just to the right of our first baseman, second baseman ranges over and tries a quick scoop and throw and muffs the ball (probably a VERY tough error). Next batter is a K, so two out, two on, still up by one. Next batter is down 1-2, VERY close outside fastball for ball two. Next pitch is VERY close fastball on the outside for ball three. Next pitch is a hanging curveball, batter sticks bat out and lines a single over the first baseman's head. Tie game.
Next kid is 0-2. Fastball is down the middle and line drive up the middle for a 4-3 deficit. (breath).
Pitcher in question has thrown 75 pitches in 4 innings. We know they're thin. Long break (45-60 minutes). They announce same pitcher coming back.
He is an animal. Fastball is HARD, curve ball is SHARP. He goes through our team like butter. He threw the next 7 and really didn't show any signs of tiring until about pitch #160. He struck out 16 in the second game and only gave us three hits. We had three runners reach on dropped third strikes. Frankly, he was awesome. The catcher couldn't even catch the ball.
I just pray that he didn't hurt himself...
It was a tough two losses to take and I STRONGLY suspect that the U of A coaches are a little bit upset. The press up here was not very complimentary either, calling for the coach's head.
The pitcher in question missed a significant part of the early part of the season with arm trouble. He's a 5'7" guy who throws ~90. He's max effort.
Didn't seem prudent to throw him 172 to me.
TS jr's debut on the mound at Busch in his HS annual game
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38583374@N08/3540855619/
Somehow I cannot upload the flicker.com link to get the photo to show on the page- any help?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38583374@N08/3540855619/
Somehow I cannot upload the flicker.com link to get the photo to show on the page- any help?
tainscout: It's so cool when the boy's, who's diapers we changed, get to play in the big stadium parks. Great Pics...
"Diapers- diapers? I don't need no stinkin' diapers"
Congrats to Hawk19 and myboysmom--must be exciting. Hawk19 good point about winning a high school state championship compared to summer league. Good for you.
We had a very exciting Regional Final series In South Florida on Friday that sends our squad to the State 4A Finals next week. Has anyone heard of back-to-back no-hitting a team in a best of 3 series at this level before? I know I hadn't!
http://www.miamiherald.com/spo...d/story/1051128.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/spo...d/story/1051128.html
Won 13-3 all but clinched conference. Son had very good game 2-2, 4 rbis, 2 doubles, 2 walks, scored 4 runs, 2 stolen bases, and 4-5 nice plays at 3 base. Warming up for summer ball 
Baseball Dad 46: Great job by your son, congrats!!!
My son's HS team won its last league game tonight to clinch the league title, which means a bye for the first round of the state playoffs.
Four wins to the title. Nothing my son would like more than to cap off his HS baseball career with a state title. Last year we lost in the semis to the team that won it. In fact, the last three years on varsity, his team has lost to the eventual state champ.
After losing a heartbreaking state title football game this fall, he really would like to taste the gold!
Four wins to the title. Nothing my son would like more than to cap off his HS baseball career with a state title. Last year we lost in the semis to the team that won it. In fact, the last three years on varsity, his team has lost to the eventual state champ.
After losing a heartbreaking state title football game this fall, he really would like to taste the gold!
My son's team made the playoffs for the first time in school history. (37 years)
Won 11-0, son had sac bunt, pop-out,and with 2 strikes after failing on bunt attempt and a called stike with runners on 1st and 2nd he hit behind runners to 1st base side to advance runners, he has done this a couple of times this year and the coaches love it, glad he has coaches that recognize it. At least tied for conf. Win in next 2 games clinches (or loss by other front-runner.
We go from being 9-13 and the fifth seed in our district to being 12-13 and district champions. We had to beat the 4th and 7th ranked teams in the area to win the district but we did it. We just didn't want the season to end and we played some great baseball. Now we have the third ranked team in the area tuesday for state sectionals. I'll let you know how it goes.
Keep those game summaries coming! We're done, but freshman son made the all region 'honorable mention' team.
Won 12-10 to clinch conference. Son had rough day though. Went 0-3 and came in to pitch in 4th inning. Got a k and infield grounder THEN throw from short pulled 1st basman off bag, walk (catcher didn't move mit on 3 of them 
) , E at 3B, Bases clearing triple 1st hit of inning, clean single , another walk (agian 3 balls that catcher didn't move glove ) , another E at 3B,pop up dropped at 2B, a wild pitch (1st one in yrs. )5th run scores to tie game 7-7 finally get last out. Next inning he gives up 3 more I belive 2 earned not sure but strikes out last batter with some heat(swinging of coarse-only 3-4 called ,hard to stand with mouth shut but calmly walked out to left field and kept quiet) we are down 10-7 we end up scoring 5 runs in bottom half of inning--Makes my son winning pitcher 
, team is very good defensivly by far worst inning of year,baseball is a strange sport. Outings like that will make him tough and me old. Most runs he has ever given up unearned or earned in 2 innings 8 wow--and get the win, his teamates told him after the E's they had his back--they sure did 
) , E at 3B, Bases clearing triple 1st hit of inning, clean single , another walk (agian 3 balls that catcher didn't move glove ) , another E at 3B,pop up dropped at 2B, a wild pitch (1st one in yrs. 
17's team is playing in the 6A state semifinal against defending champion tomorrow. The Florida high school playoff semis and finals are at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie (Mets.)
17 was featured this week as our local Fox Station Athlete of the week. We as parents are really proud of the young man he has become, and coming to grips with his last highschool baseball game that will occur this weekend (hopefully two last games!!)
Thanks to all on this board for such wonderful stories as you all are a great support group. We have really enjoyed the ride.
Athlete of the week
17 was featured this week as our local Fox Station Athlete of the week. We as parents are really proud of the young man he has become, and coming to grips with his last highschool baseball game that will occur this weekend (hopefully two last games!!)
Thanks to all on this board for such wonderful stories as you all are a great support group. We have really enjoyed the ride.
Athlete of the week
Good luck this weekend Backstop 17 
Sons team (sophomore--he is a freshman) ended with a 11-1 run rule in 5. Son 1-1, sac. fly, 1 rbi., and of coarse a HBP. Played right field and thru a kid out at 1st (that pitcher--3b arm comes in handy
).Team finished 28-7, won conference. Son had good overall 1st yr of H.S. ball. Batted 355%, 26rbi in 62ABs, 8bb, 13k(way more than usual-many looking--bad umps ), 18 stolen bases, 0 errors(great stat played mostly 3b-pitched, 2 outfield starts)-Pitching 6-0, 1.9 ERA, 22innings, 6 ER, 21 K, 9 bb (4 in last game ump wouldn't call curve a strike ). We are ready for summer ball, have tournament next weekend--Go Royals!
Sons team (sophomore--he is a freshman) ended with a 11-1 run rule in 5. Son 1-1, sac. fly, 1 rbi., and of coarse a HBP. Played right field and thru a kid out at 1st (that pitcher--3b arm comes in handy
).Team finished 28-7, won conference. Son had good overall 1st yr of H.S. ball. Batted 355%, 26rbi in 62ABs, 8bb, 13k(way more than usual-many looking--bad umps ), 18 stolen bases, 0 errors(great stat played mostly 3b-pitched, 2 outfield starts)-Pitching 6-0, 1.9 ERA, 22innings, 6 ER, 21 K, 9 bb (4 in last game ump wouldn't call curve a strike ). We are ready for summer ball, have tournament next weekend--Go Royals!
Backstop-17, nice interview. He seems like a real down to earth young man. Good luck to their team this weekend and good luck to your son at the University of Tampa. On a side note, I grew up in Lakeland which is not too far from you guys. I hear LHS has a decent team this year.
Hi. I have a 6'5", 185lb. 14 year old who just finished his first Varsity season down here in Southern Cal. CIF Division II....very competitive. He's a 1st basemen/pitcher. He didn't play much 1st or hit much during the season. The coach wanted him to focus on his pitching.
Frankly, the season was a bit rough, until the end. After a stellar summer playing VIBL, he developed problems with his control. The coaches felt it was due to him putting on 4 inches of height. Well, he finally "grew" into his body and pitched lights out for the last month. We played a crucial game against a highly ranked league opponent. My son blanked them for 3 innings. He became the spot reliever (tight spot, I should say) and did incredibly well. He's extremely dedicated...he keeps to his throwing schedule 3x per week. He hits the weight room 3 days a week. he does his mirror wok every other day. He wants it bad.
Several games had scouts (pretty normal in our league) and they we're gunning him at 88 mph on his fastball (multiple guns). I could not believe it. Lot's of ooh's and ahhs. One scout told me that as soon as he gets command of his off-speed pitches he'll be a real prospect. I'm really excited for him because he loves baseball and at 14 seems to have a lot of upside potential.
Our head coach has told me to prepare myself. Said the word is "out" on him and said it's going to be quite a ride. I'm so proud and happy for of him. Can't wait to see what the future holds.
As for me, all I wanted was for him to make hi HS team some day. Not sure where we go from here as I didn't play baseball in HS. Should be interesting, though.
Frankly, the season was a bit rough, until the end. After a stellar summer playing VIBL, he developed problems with his control. The coaches felt it was due to him putting on 4 inches of height. Well, he finally "grew" into his body and pitched lights out for the last month. We played a crucial game against a highly ranked league opponent. My son blanked them for 3 innings. He became the spot reliever (tight spot, I should say) and did incredibly well. He's extremely dedicated...he keeps to his throwing schedule 3x per week. He hits the weight room 3 days a week. he does his mirror wok every other day. He wants it bad.
Several games had scouts (pretty normal in our league) and they we're gunning him at 88 mph on his fastball (multiple guns). I could not believe it. Lot's of ooh's and ahhs. One scout told me that as soon as he gets command of his off-speed pitches he'll be a real prospect. I'm really excited for him because he loves baseball and at 14 seems to have a lot of upside potential.
Our head coach has told me to prepare myself. Said the word is "out" on him and said it's going to be quite a ride. I'm so proud and happy for of him. Can't wait to see what the future holds.
As for me, all I wanted was for him to make hi HS team some day. Not sure where we go from here as I didn't play baseball in HS. Should be interesting, though.
Wow! 88mph and 6'5" at 14?
Batton down the hatches... You're heading for quite a storm...
Sounds great, best of luck. Avoid the opportunity to pitch every weekend, keep the innings down, work on mechanics without throwing large number of pitches and prepare for the storm to hit.
Congrats, sounds like you have quite a pitcher/ballplayer on your hands.
Batton down the hatches... You're heading for quite a storm...
Sounds great, best of luck. Avoid the opportunity to pitch every weekend, keep the innings down, work on mechanics without throwing large number of pitches and prepare for the storm to hit.
Congrats, sounds like you have quite a pitcher/ballplayer on your hands.
Backstop:
What a great kid. Congratulations.
What a great kid. Congratulations.
All the hard work pays off as 17's team wins Florida 6A Championship:
"Alonso never had any doubts about outcome"
By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 24, 2009
PORT ST. LUCIE - We'd love to call this a fairy tale. We'd love to say that describes Alonso High School's first state baseball championship. There's just one problem, according to Alonso sophomore third baseman Matt Brandy.
"It happened," he said. "It really happened."
The championship-winning run was made by a courtesy runner who hadn't had a hit all year. His name is Eddy Williams (nickname: Nook). He's a receiver who came over from football in the middle of baseball season. You ain't heard nothin' yet.
"Jose came farther," Eddy said.
That would be winning pitcher Jose Fernandez, who came over from ... Cuba.
A little more than a year ago, Fernandez, his mother and sister were on a boat trying to escape Castro. Mom fell overboard at one point. Jose jumped in and saved her. She and the rest of the Fernandez family were in the stands Saturday night as Jose and his Ravens beat Miami Columbus 4-3 at Tradition Field.
"I feel like a very, very lucky person," sophomore Fernandez said as Alonso assistant coach Pete Toledo translated. He was nervous in the first inning and nervous in the last inning. In between, he mowed down 18 consecutive Columbus batters. "To come from Cuba a year ago and be pitching in a championship game it's not something anybody does, but God helped me."
Nobody did it like these Ravens.
For one thing, they did it without their best pitcher, senior Ray Delphey, who went down with a knee injury in the middle of the season. The day after, the Ravens made their decision.
"We were going to win this thing," said Alonso senior catcher Adam Pendleton, who got the sixth-inning single that set Nook loose on the base paths. "We never doubted each other."
They never doubted when they went ahead 2-0 in the top of the first, and they never doubted when Fernandez allowed three runs in the bottom of the inning, including one that came in on a balk. A batter he hit came home, too.
They never doubted as they came away scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings, as it stayed Columbus 3-2. The Ravens didn't even doubt with two outs in the fifth. Senior first baseman Casey Smit rapped his second long double, and on a 3-1 pitch Brandy lined a double to left to bring him home and tie it at 3.
They didn't doubt as Fernandez turned in five perfect innings after his shaky first. There was only one thing left to do. So Pendleton lined one up the middle for a single to start the sixth. He looked to the dugout. "I knew Nook would be coming in," he said.
Eddy Williams' grandmother nicknamed him Nook. He isn't even sure what it means. It might as well mean "fast."
He scored six touchdowns last season for the Alonso football team. He has a scholarship to Toledo in the fall. He says he runs a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. Sure, why not. He batted six times in baseball with no hits.
But he hopped on first base Saturday, and the next thing, he stole second. Then he stole third. Then he dared the Columbus catcher to throw down and get him, and throw he did. The ball sailed into left field. Nook came home.
"This is the biggest thing I ever scored," he said.
Jose Fernandez took the mound in the bottom of the seventh. You looked at his folks (his dad fled Cuba first) and his sister and back out at him and remembered it was Memorial Day weekend, a time for Americans whose devotion we can't ever truly measure, who fought for the very freedom that made Jose Fernandez and his family come here.
Try to make up a story like this. Just try.
Fernandez didn't pitch a complete game. He got two quick outs, but gave up a single and hit a batter. But this was Alonso and this was Alonso's season, so Coach Landy Faedo took the ball from Fernandez and handed it to senior Jordan Huchro, who finished it, a ground ball to first baseman Smit, who tossed to Huchro. Big pile near first.
It wasn't a fairy tale. It happened. Ask the Ravens. Ask them 30 years from now.
"This was our season," Adam Pendleton said.
"Alonso never had any doubts about outcome"
By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 24, 2009
PORT ST. LUCIE - We'd love to call this a fairy tale. We'd love to say that describes Alonso High School's first state baseball championship. There's just one problem, according to Alonso sophomore third baseman Matt Brandy.
"It happened," he said. "It really happened."
The championship-winning run was made by a courtesy runner who hadn't had a hit all year. His name is Eddy Williams (nickname: Nook). He's a receiver who came over from football in the middle of baseball season. You ain't heard nothin' yet.
"Jose came farther," Eddy said.
That would be winning pitcher Jose Fernandez, who came over from ... Cuba.
A little more than a year ago, Fernandez, his mother and sister were on a boat trying to escape Castro. Mom fell overboard at one point. Jose jumped in and saved her. She and the rest of the Fernandez family were in the stands Saturday night as Jose and his Ravens beat Miami Columbus 4-3 at Tradition Field.
"I feel like a very, very lucky person," sophomore Fernandez said as Alonso assistant coach Pete Toledo translated. He was nervous in the first inning and nervous in the last inning. In between, he mowed down 18 consecutive Columbus batters. "To come from Cuba a year ago and be pitching in a championship game it's not something anybody does, but God helped me."
Nobody did it like these Ravens.
For one thing, they did it without their best pitcher, senior Ray Delphey, who went down with a knee injury in the middle of the season. The day after, the Ravens made their decision.
"We were going to win this thing," said Alonso senior catcher Adam Pendleton, who got the sixth-inning single that set Nook loose on the base paths. "We never doubted each other."
They never doubted when they went ahead 2-0 in the top of the first, and they never doubted when Fernandez allowed three runs in the bottom of the inning, including one that came in on a balk. A batter he hit came home, too.
They never doubted as they came away scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings, as it stayed Columbus 3-2. The Ravens didn't even doubt with two outs in the fifth. Senior first baseman Casey Smit rapped his second long double, and on a 3-1 pitch Brandy lined a double to left to bring him home and tie it at 3.
They didn't doubt as Fernandez turned in five perfect innings after his shaky first. There was only one thing left to do. So Pendleton lined one up the middle for a single to start the sixth. He looked to the dugout. "I knew Nook would be coming in," he said.
Eddy Williams' grandmother nicknamed him Nook. He isn't even sure what it means. It might as well mean "fast."
He scored six touchdowns last season for the Alonso football team. He has a scholarship to Toledo in the fall. He says he runs a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. Sure, why not. He batted six times in baseball with no hits.
But he hopped on first base Saturday, and the next thing, he stole second. Then he stole third. Then he dared the Columbus catcher to throw down and get him, and throw he did. The ball sailed into left field. Nook came home.
"This is the biggest thing I ever scored," he said.
Jose Fernandez took the mound in the bottom of the seventh. You looked at his folks (his dad fled Cuba first) and his sister and back out at him and remembered it was Memorial Day weekend, a time for Americans whose devotion we can't ever truly measure, who fought for the very freedom that made Jose Fernandez and his family come here.
Try to make up a story like this. Just try.
Fernandez didn't pitch a complete game. He got two quick outs, but gave up a single and hit a batter. But this was Alonso and this was Alonso's season, so Coach Landy Faedo took the ball from Fernandez and handed it to senior Jordan Huchro, who finished it, a ground ball to first baseman Smit, who tossed to Huchro. Big pile near first.
It wasn't a fairy tale. It happened. Ask the Ravens. Ask them 30 years from now.
"This was our season," Adam Pendleton said.
Son's team won yesterday and moved into the regional semi-final game slated for tomorrow. They must win tomorrow to make it into the state tournament. They will play the number one ranked team in the region so they will have to be on top of their game to pull it out.
Good luck golfball. Wish we were in that situation. Summer ball isn't bad though.
Son's team won the district quarter finals giving them a automatic bid to states. He got the save with 2 Ks and a grounder to 2nd.
Thanks bballman.
Philsfan - Good Luck
Philsfan - Good Luck