Will's Travel Team Opener

In the Opening Ceremony assistant coach Frank’s older son was recognized for being the first Pony player to hit a home run on the huge Pony Field. Luke homered in his last at bat in the last game of the spring season.

After we took team photos, Will watched the older Colt team play. Matthew and I walked up to the younger fields and saw several of his teammates in action. Little Lucas lined two hits into the outfield and threw out a batter from the outfield fence. Noelle’s son Nathan was thrown out by catcher Stephen Ellis. The youngest Turner boy tallied his first assist, while his parents were asking me about Luke’s spring home run.

At that same time down on the Pony Field Luke stepped into the batters box. He had played football in the fall, so this was his first game and at bat since the homer. This time he slugged the pitch deep to right center…and over the fence for another home run. And just like last time, in his jubilation he missed first base and had to retrace his steps.

Matthew and I made a quick run to McDonalds, Will’s travel team game finally began. Will played third base the first two innings and then shortstop for three innings, finishing with three putouts and two assists.

Batting cleanup, Will drove in a run in the bottom of the first by lacing a single into right-center. He stole second, but was stranded when the next two hitters popped out.

In the third Will lined a pitch right to the shortstop. Then leading off the sixth, the first pitch came in high and inside. Will leaned down, and I heard the slightest sound of the ball nicking his helmet. The umpire heard it as well, and Will was awarded first. He stole second and third, and scored on a single.

Though the team lost, Will finished the game as the most productive player.