Freshman Makes His Pitch

"Freshman Makes His Pitch" is the title of an article in the Boston Globe about me. The game ended with a 2-1 win over Winchester. Here is how it started. I was on the mound in the beginning of the first and the first batter grounded out, the second batter hit a SHOT over center field to make the game 1-0. I was a little nervous as the batter was rounding the bases, but I was laughing a little because I thought the game was going to be awful. But this game ended with the greatest game I have ever pitched in my life! I only let up 2 hits in the first inning as I slowly walked back to the bench for my team to hit in the bottom of the first. We tied it up with a double in the gap to make the score 1-1. In the top of the second inning I let up a hit, but then retired the next 24 batters in a row. I only threw a three hitter the entire game through 8 innings. This game went into extra innings, we only play 7 innings in High School, but because both teams were fighting for the win we went into extras.

Remember that I was only 14 years old, when I was pitching this game. I hopped over the the third base foul line to reach the mound in the top of the 8th inning. I struck out the side and had a 1,2,3 inning. My team got up in the bottom of the inning and my teammate hits a walk off single to win the game, we went crazy!!! Everybody congratulated me because I pitched an outstanding game. I pitched 8 full innings and only threw 71 pitches, which means I averaged about 8 pitches an inning. I struck out 11 batters but my team had my back through the entire game. I had a coach from Clemson University in South Carolina come to watch that game. Winning that game was the best feeling of my life!!