Pitching under pressure

Today was the fourth game of the season for our 15 u team. Ellie is the most experienced pitcher on our team. She has had a rough couple past games and has been trying to work on her pitching with the pitching coach this week.

The umpire was also very inconsistent today. This made it really hard to be a picture today.

I really thought that we would easily beat the team we were playing but it turned into a really tight game. In fact, it looks like we were going to lose at one point.

We only played five innings. Eli pitched the last three of them. We went into the last inning knowing that it was the last inning because time have been called by the umpire. We needed to hold them to win the game. It was 11 to 10 us.

Ellie struck out the first batter. Then Ellie walked about her. Then she struck out another batter. Then a batter her got a hit off of her. Then she walked another batter. They were bases-loaded with two outs in the bottom of the last inning. I kept trying to cheer her on and tell her that she could do this. I was also praying to God to give her strength that no matter the outcome she could handle the situation.

She pitched a good first pitch and the batter had a swing and a mess. Then she pitched a ball. Then she pitched another good pitch with a swing and a mess. Then she pitched two more balls. It was a full count bases-loaded bottom of the last inning of the game. I was so nervous for her. I wanted her to come out successful. I also wanted her to come out with Grace.

She did a few air drops into her glove and took the mound. She threw hard fast and high. By the luck of grace for us, the batter swung and missed and the game was over. And we had dug out of a very very tight inning.

We came away with the win. What I’m most proud of is Ellie. It was a tough game and that umpire made your mind go crazy if you were a pitcher or pitchers parent. She did really well under pressure. She told me she was really nervous and still replaying it in her head is nerve-racking. We are both glad the game is over and we came away with that one.

Ellie is quite the softball player. She also had quite a few good hits tonight. I enjoy watching her play the game. I really enjoy watching her be successful at it. I most enjoyed when she’s enjoying it.