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JUNE 19, 2010
@ Orange County Flyers
Bottom 8th
2 outs, runners on 1st and 3rd
Calgary leading 2-0
"Well, that was quick", Ken thought. In just his second day as a Calgary Viper, Ken Wills was about to throw his first professional pitch. So far, the Vipers had allowed zero runs on just 5 hits through 7.2 innings. It was now up to Ken to get them through the 8th unscathed.
All this was taking place at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, CA. The capacity was 3500, and the attendance was 2018. It would have been less than 2000, but Ken's family had traveled from Arizona to cheer him on. They were chatting and mingling with his host family when a voice came from the announcer's booth:
"NOW PITCHING FOR YOUR CALGARY VIPERS...LEFT-HANDER...NUMBER NINE...KEN..WILLIS!"
The section containing his family and friends erupted with applause. Ken smiled but tried to ignore all the noise. The game was on the line. His first opponent would be Orange County 2B Matt Kata. Kata had been in the major leagues from 2003 to 2009, and was trying to earn himself another shot.
Catcher Steve Holm motioned for a fastball. Ken grinned, nodded, and let if fly. Kata took the 91mph pitch for a strike. It was outside, perhaps a bit too far outside, but Ken wasn't complaining. Kata shook his head and dug in again. Holm motioned for another fastball, and Ken complied. This one was around the same location, but Matt Kata was ready for it. The ball jumped off his bat to deeeeeep right field. RF Mike Nelson sprinted to the wall to make the catch, then slammed up against the wall. He was able to hang on! The crowd cheered as Ken jumped for joy. In just 2 pitches, Ken had ended the threat.
Closer Billy Traber had been overworked lately, so manager Alberto Cook decided to send Ken out to finish off the 9th inning.
First up was another former major-leaguer: CF Darin Erstad. Erstad singled to left on a 1-0 pitch.
Next up: 1B Clarence Dunn. On an 0-1 pitch, Ken awkwardly motioned towards first, and the ump immediately called a balk. Dunn lined a 1-2 pitch up the middle for a single, sending Erstad to third. Ken was starting to get nervous.
3B Jack Symons: Ken struck out Symons swinging on a 2-2 fastball low. One out.
DH Will Campbell: Campbell hit a sacrifice grounder to short, scoring Erstad. Dunn went to 2nd. Two outs.
PH Gustavo Perez: The count was 2-2, and Ken's family, friends, and teammates were on their feet cheering. Holm signaled for a changeup low. Ken took a deep breath...and threw. Perez barely got a piece of it and the ball dribbled right back to Ken. He quickly scooped it up and threw to first for the out! His teammates mobbed him like he had just won a championship or something. Ken was on top of the world.
LINE: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 1K, save(1)
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