After being together for four years with most and six years with some, tonight the seniors of the NLC Storm Baseball team turned in their jerseys for the very last time.
Lots of tears tonight, from parents, friends, players and coaches. I'd never seen Coach Posey tear-up like he did giving Lance the Leadership and Offensive player of the year awards tonight. It's been such a fun run, everyone had a hard time leaving tonight after the awards, people lingered for a long time.
For Lance, their last game tonight could not have ended more perfectly, not only did they win but first Luke hit a homerun and then Lance too hit a homerun at his last at bat of his high school career. His friend Matt waited on 3rd, refusing to score on passed ball, knowing Lance would hit him home and wanting to be that last RBI. The stands went absolutely wild as did the players. Its hard to see in the video below but the ball hit high in the trees in left field, and Lances' biggest fan couldn't have been more excited if he'd hit it himself. (Click here to watch Video)
The season certainly had its ups and downs but they really brought it together at the end. Earlier in the season they participated in an invitational tournament at Grace Sanford. Lance's team placed third, Lance hit the walk-off run and was a given the the MVP award That was all awesome but the best part was the players from the other teams (like Grace whom they didn't end up playing, they just watched) coming up to congratulate Lance after the game.
Then last week at the North Carolina Homeschool World Series, the team made their highest placing ever in STORM history coming in 2nd. It was a tough tournament personally for Lance he had to overcome some serious physical and emotional challenges, but Lance did. He's always the professional and God really showed him that it was all worth it. With each team he played that weekend, when he got on first, the player from the other team randomly felt the need to tell him how much their whole team respected Lance. Then the coaches from the other teams showed further respect by coming over to shake his hand or give a hug and wish him well in the future. Even two of the umpires inquired about his future and one even offered help. All those random acts of kindness had an incredible healing power. Titus had a blast being one of the bat boys all weekend with his friend Matthew.
It has been quite a journey with
these wonderful families and so thankful for all their love and support over
the years, it will be a gap in our life without them.
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