ORLAND PARK CHAMPIONS 10-23-11

After playing through three international tie-breaker innings in the championship game, it was still tied 6-6 with a runner on second, two outs, and we were the visiting team.  With going into a half hour past overtime, it became pitch black outside and the stadium lights had to be turned on.  A new pitcher came in, and we weren't sure what to expect.  The first pitch flew passed our hitter and into the mitt to the sound of the umpire shouting "strike one!" in a harsh voice.  We all looked at eachother nervously with sweat dripping down our faces but still shivering at the same time.  As our whole team was cheering the batter on, she took her first swing at the ball and had just hit it foul of the left field line to the sound of our teammates, coaches, and fans going "ohhh" at the same time.  Now there were 2 outs, the count of 0-2, and this was our last chance to score.  Our batter received the sign from our 3rd base coach, twirled her bat as a routine kind-of thing, and stepped in the box.   All of our teammates were up against the fence yelling "Let's go number 23!!!!" or "You got this Katie!! Come on kid!" also along with our fans all bundled together in the bleachers shouting tremendously.  As the pitcher receives the sign from her catcher, she fumbles the ball around in her mitt to get the right pitch, and gives a grunt after she releases it.  The runner on second takes a lead off farther than usual, Katie swings as hard as she can, and makes perfect contact with the ball. it shoots into the grass in center-right field as the right and center-fielder both chase after it. the stadium erupts with screams and cheers from every person involved with our team as the runner from second base scores the game-winning run.  this might have been the most exciting day for me this year, and it was a great way to start off the season.