Hope hosted their first playoff game tonight against Thomaston I. The field conditions were wet from drizzle throughout the day, which I think benefited Thomaston as Hopes hard throwing pitchers were having trouble gripping the ball and maintaining control. The game was close throughout the six innings and after 3 innings the score was 3-1, with Hope in the lead. A low scoring game was just what Thomaston was hoping for to have any hope for a win.
In the sixth inning things got very interesting and Julian would be in for a big surprise! The score was 4-2, and Hope has a pitching rotation going so that none of the big three pitchers throw more than 40 pitches an outing so that they are all available to pitch in the next game (Little League has pitch count rules to follow to help protect kids arms from injuries). There are 2 outs in the top of the sixth, 1 runner on base and the last of the 3 big pitchers is on the mound and he has thrown his 40th pitch. The coach decides, even though the pitcher has 2 strikes on the batter, that he wants this pitcher available for the next game and he decides to pull him out. He heads to the mound, has a conversation with his pitcher and takes the ball from him. He then looks over to second base where Julian is playing and calls him to the mound. Julian was caught off guard to say the least. He's been wanting to pitch all year, but has only been called upon once earlier in the season. The pressure is on and the season is on the line, but he only needs one strike and the game is over.....not so easy!! Julian ends up losing the first batter and now there is a runner on first and second. Julian then makes things even more interesting by walking the next batter! Now we have bases loaded, a mom who is about to be sick because she is so nervous and a base hit to the outfield will likely mean a tied game! The next batter stepped to the plate and the suspense ended when Julian struck him out swinging!
Hope survived a close one and will face their next opponent, still to be determined, Thursday in Hope. If they can win that game the championship game will be Monday June 23.
On another note, Julian made the 9 and 10 year old All-Star team!!
