No cheering from the press box, you know.
Or the photo well. Those are next to the dugout and behind home plate. I tried to stay near Missouri State’s dugout, asking other reporters if they needed my spot every so often. Occasionally we traded.
I wanted candids, and I had half the zoom of everyone else. So I stayed, baking in the sun and shooting for most of the game. I glanced at the concourse, relieved when I saw reporters sharing the table with my laptop, stowed underneath.
I suppose I’m media now, which means no cursing, and no cheering, but I confess I couldn’t help it.
Missouri State took a 3-0 lead, then extended it to 4-2. But as Oklahoma State continued to leave a couple of base runners on most innings, I just didn’t feel safe.
The well isn’t protected by netting, so when I deleted shots I ducked under a concrete ceiling. If I stepped back while shooting I’d stumble down a couple of steps, but I thought I’d worry if I ever had to move. Meanwhile, the Bears stayed ahead.
To the ninth. Bears up 4-3.
A single from Oklahoma State’s Garrett McCain, sure, but then Bryan Young was only an out from a save. Then Garrett Benge cracked a ball down the right field line and slid headfirst into third, scoring McCain without a throw. The PA announcer told the crowd Benge had hit for the cycle.
Later, when I met Benge’s grandparents at my hotel, I asked if he expected to be drafted as a junior. They grinned and covered their mouths.
Back to Baum Stadium. Jordan Knutson took over for Young and faced Colin Simpson –
and Knutson threw a wild pitch. Benge sprinted home, stepping on the plate to give his team a 5-4 lead.
I covered my mouth so the camera wouldn’t pick up my words.
Knutson left.
But, of course, Ol’ Abner had done it again, as a baseball announcer in St. Louis might tell you over a mug of cold, frosty Budweiser. Missouri State had its 2,3 and 4 hitters coming up in the bottom of the ninth.
And the Oklahoma State career leader in pitching appearances, Trey Cobb, waited.
Justin Paulsen singled over first base. Landan Ruff took over on the basepaths. Of course, Burger hit, like he was Jakey at the Bat in an old poem.
Instead of a strikeout, he popped up.
Blake Graham, designated hitter, carried a bat to the plate.
After three strikes he carried it back.
Two out.
Jeremy Eierman took a ball away for a 2-1 count.
Then he swung, and the ball spun into the air, gently falling into the right fielder’s glove –
I didn’t watch Burger, who later said at the press conference that he knew right away that the ball was gone.
And he was right –
though I lost track of the ball until it landed in the Cowboys’ bullpen.
I think everyone else saw it.
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