Calling a guy a "hero" for taking a walk might be a bit of a stretch. That is, until you realize that the kid who took the walk was a pinch-hitter appearing in his first varsity game of the season. In the Class 4A state semifinals. In the bottom of the eighth inning of a tied game.
↵Can you imagine the pressure? The fact that Eric Stegent was patient enough to work a walk is pretty amazing. I'd have been flailing at any pitch close to the zone, trying to win the game myself. Stegent even had a 3-2 count when he took the walk. I don't know how close that last pitch was, but it must've taken a lot of, um, er, fortitude not to swing.
↵Brenham head coach Jim Long quickly put in a pinch runner for Stegent and the Cubs won the game two batters later. But, they never would have been in position without the JV callup. Oh and one more thing. Remember yesterday when I mentioned those camo unis that Brenham would wear? Check out the results:
↵
via BrazosSports.com
↵They look like a scary version of the Boston Red Sox. I wonder if the Brenham runner tried to hide in the outfield grass, hoping Rider would forget they were on base. At any rate, congrats to the Cubs and good luck in the championship game Thursday night at 6 p.m.