Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Baseball Afternoon

Jax on the Mound
Southern High School
Harwood, MD
April 11, 2023

 One thing that both Chris and I are experiencing during our visit to Maryland is junior varsity high school baseball. And it is great to be at the games we otherwise would be tracking on GameChanger. 

Yesterday we traveled to Southern High School for an afternoon game. The weather had warmed since the weekend and was absolutely perfect for baseball. 

We had comfortable seats, in the shade, for the game. I have to admit, I was thankful that I brought a sweatshirt to ward away the cold which began to sink-in about mid-way through the contest. 

Jax was not in the game as a position player, he often plays an outfield position. As the game wore on, into the third inning, the score began to get more lopsided and we were hoping that the contest would end after the fifth inning by mercy rule--a ten-run advantage for the Arundel Wildcats. 

Then, to begin the bottom of the 4th inning, who should appear from the dugout and stride to the mound? Jax! We were very excited to see him pitch in person. He had only posted one other appearance this year--two solid innings of work combining for a shutout. Today, however, was another day and we held our breath as he took the mound. 

When the game was over, Jax had posted two solid innings of work. Two hits, one unearned run and two strikeouts. He threw 27 pitches to 8 batters, 20 of which were for strikes. He also demonstrated a great pick-off move which caught the runner leading too far off first base leading to a rundown which ended when the runner was tagged out. He held the more than 10 run lead and the game was mercifully over 2 hours and 15 minutes after it had started.

Since we have been in Maryland we have seen Jax play right field, pinch run, and now pitch! Oh yes, and bat!

Today, we will be attending a home game!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

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