While the day was very much about our Senior Day celebration, we played two games against the Midway University Eagles.
The Eagles are headed to Ohio for the River States Conference postseason tournament, and we threw out the first pitch for the opening game at 12:19.
The start time was pushed back due to the 27-minute tribute to our five seniors.
We dropped game one 12-6 in 3 hours and 28 minutes. The length of the game is relevant only in the setup for the end of the second game.
Around 6 pm, nine hours after the team arrived at Linda K Epling Stadium 🏟, we headed to the bottom of the sixth inning in a seven inning affair, trailing 4-0.
Braedan Pakkala, one of our five seniors, was the starting pitcher for the last game of the season, and he was dealing. The three runs allowed in the first inning were unearned, and after the rough start, the Eagles only plated one run.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, JJ Polvinale led off and reached on an error. Jake Tompkins followed with an infield single and one out later pinch hitter. Maddex Sims delivered an RBI single.
Senior Carson Brown coaxed a walk 🚶♂️to load the bases, and Zach Hunt stepped to the plate. Hunt sent a rocket 🚀 to right centerfield, and because of the angle taken by the Eagles centerfielder, there was a question about him bringing down the shot. At one point, it appeared that we had three runners in between third and home for two reasons – one being that Brown had the best angle on the play at first base and the second being Brown is fast! Not sure if he’s Tyler Mackey fast, but certainly fast.
Just like that, a team with nothing to play for and entering their 10th hour at the park had tied the game at 4-4!!!
Hunt made it over to third base and was 90 feet from being the game winning run.
Hunt never made it home, and Pak went back to the mound and added another zero to the scoreboard, but the Eagles would eventually scratch out the game winning run in extra innings.
The outcome was both familiar to the season and a great example of the amount of fight that our Golden Bears 🐻 Baseball team had, even at the very end of an emotional day.
The season is now over, and for five of the young men, their time has in a Golden Bear 🐻 uniform has ended. This group wore the uniform well from start to finish, and they will be remembered for all of the right reasons.
In game one, Ben Palomo made his initial appearance on the mound this season as the Senior has been hampered by a serious back injury. Polomo remained a vital part of the team throughout the season, providing leadership to the younger players and getting to see 👀 him back on the mound was joyful. Ben followed, fellow Senior Andrew Lynch to the mound, and earlier, Senior Luke Richards took his turn toeing the rubber.
We had ourselves a day ! Would it have been a greater day if we had pulled out the night cap ? Sure, but as we say, it’s always a Great Day to be a Golden Bear!
A.S.P.N on The Hill 