FBC Wins Championship!!!

"My father is John Lennon!" said the stranger proudly, standing before the gathered throng, huddled together in a field outside the Pizza Hut in Sullivan, IL.
"And I am the father of Damien and Donovan Ferguson!" I replied enthusiastically.
"You are!" asked the astounded and incredulous onlookers, their eyes widening in amazement. "How great is that? They are the champions!"
--From a dream I had this morning, just before awakening at 4:45 AM. So what do you think it means?
The FBC Kid Pitch Boys Baseball team won the post-season tournament by sweeping YMCA 8-7 and 12-2 on Monday, June 29, 2009. The wins give FBC an overall record of 14-8, while YMCA finished second with a record of 14-9.

The opening game, which was a must-win contest for FBC, was nip and tuck throughout. FBC, winners in the double-elimination tournament from the loser's bracket, were the visitors, and they failed to score in the top of the first inning, going down in order as they could not get the ball out of the infield. YMCA came out and scored 2 runs on 3 hits to take a 2-0 lead after 1.

FBC fought back by tying the score at 2 apiece in the top of the second inning. Dalton Stephens led off with an infield single, and the throw to first was wild, putting Stephens at second base. Dalton Armes singled to the right side of the infield to drive in Stephens from third where he had advanced on a stolen base, and Armes was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double for out number 1. Following a strikeout of Brayton Sparrow, Donovan Ferguson had a 2 out double into right. He scored on a single up the middle by Joseph Rader to pull FBC even at 2-2 as the boys in purple scored twice with 2 outs. YMCA retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as they scored a single tally off of Trevor Edwards, who had taken the mound for FBC. The inning started out well for Edwards as he got 2 quick outs, striking out Reese Bergstrom looking on a full count fastball, and inducing Jordan Easton to ground out to second baseman Donovan Ferguson. Left-handed batting Logan Coartney went with a ball delivered to the outside of the plate, plunking it cleanly into left field where Michael Brown did a good job of getting to the ball and preventing Coartney from moving into scoring position. Edwards walked leadoff hitter Mitchell Kremer to put runners at first and second, bringing up Rayme Hamilton. Hamilton drove the first pitch offered into right center field for a double, knocking in Coartney from second base. Kremer tried to score all the way from first base, but right center fielder Dalton Armes' throw to the plate nailed Hamilton to end the inning, leaving FBC trailing by 1 run 3-2.

FBC struck back by scoring 4 runs in the top of third. Trevor Edwards singled with 1 out to start the rally. Edwards stole second and third before being driven home on a single into center off the bat of Damien Ferguson to tie the game 3-3. Damien stole second before taking third on an infield single by Drake Jeffries. Jeffries stole second, and both he and Damien came home on a 2 out single hit by Dalton Armes. Arnes stole second and he took third when Brayton Sparrow hit a single into shallow center field, but both runners were stranded as FBC held a lead of 6-3 going into the bottom of the third. YMCA came roaring back to tie the game with 3 runs of their own, and it looked as if they were well on their way to blowing the game wide open. Alec Raboin worked the count full before receiving a free pass from pitcher Trevor Edwards. Gabe Black followed the walk to Raboin by hitting a double down the left field line, placing runners at second and third. Jacob Watson hit a roller to Edwards, and his throw was dropped by first baseman Dalton Stephens for an error, allowing both runners to score. Edwards got ahead 0-2 in the count before losing Nate Browning to a walk, placing runners at first and second base. 2 wild pitches moved Watson to third and Browning to second, and Dru Baker turned a 3-0 fastball into a swinging bunt single, as Edwards' throw to first base was late. Watson appeared as if he would be out at the plate as he tried to score from third, but the throw home from Dalton Stephens to Skyler Hood catching was high, and Watson was able to slide under the tag attempt safely, tying the score 6-6, as Browning took third on the play. Reese Bergstron hit a fly ball into center field, but Drake Jeffries hauled it in for out number 1, as both runners were unable to advance. Jordan Easton turned a 0-2 deficit into yet another walk, and Damien Ferguson was called upon to pitch with the bases loaded and the game on the line. Damien fell behind 2-0 to Logan Coartney, but the next pitch was hit by Logan back to Damien. Damien fielded the ball and threw home to force Browning from third. Catcher Skyler Hood threw the ball back to Damien, who noticed that the runner at first had not gone to second base, so Damien took the ball himself and ran to second base, forcing Easton and completing the rare 1-2-1 double play. I am not sure what happened on the play, but I believe the runner (and possibly the first base coach) thought the ball hit by Coartney had been caught in the air by Damien, so he held for that reason. That is the only explanation that makes sense, but I am just guessing. But as it turned out, it was a huge play, and you could just feel the momentum shift from YMCA back to FBC, although it was a bit slow in coming, as neither team was able to score in the fourth inning.

The fifth inning rolled around, and Drake Jeffries started the 1 out rally for FBC by walking. He was joined on the basepath by teammate Dalton Stephens, who also had been issued a free pass, and both runners executed a double steal to place runners at second and third and bring up hot-hitting Dalton Armes. Armes unloaded on a 1-1 fastball, driving it into deep right center field, and both Jeffries and Stephens scored with Armes' fifth RBI of the game. Armes was stranded as shortstop Alec Raboin's throw to first base just nipped Donovan Ferguson speeding down the line for out number 3. Donovan appeared safe from where I was standing, but since the umpires in the game did an excellent job of getting into very good position to make the calls, I cannot, nor will I, complain about their performance. In fact, it was really nice to see the games decided by the play on the field, instead of by an official missing a call or not understanding the rules. So FBC's at bat in the fifth inning ended with them holding an 8-6 lead. Drake Jeffries took over the pitching duties in the bottom of the fifth, and he made quick work of things, striking out the side in order. FBC did no better in the top of the sixth inning, also striking out 1-2-3, setting the stage for the evenful and exciting bottom of the frame.

The coaches for FBC met and discussed strategy on how to approach this inning in terms of whom to pich, as well as for the upcoming next game if things worked out to their advantage, and it was decided to bring Trevor Edwards in to start the sixth and have Damien Ferguson prepared to come in if necessary, and hopefully, have him be available to start the next and deciding game. Once again, Edwards got two quick outs as his first pitch to Jordan Easton was hit right back to him, and he threw the runner out easily. Logan Coartney went down swinging for out number 2, bringing up YMCA's top of the order. Mitchell Kremer hit a ball into right field for what looked like a single, but he did not stop as he rounded first base and headed towards second. The aggressive play caught the FBC players by surprise, and the throw to Damien Ferguson at second base was late, and Kremer was credited with a hustling double. Momentum, again, was something that could be felt shifting, and Rayme Hamilton responded by hitting a ball into center field, plating Kremer and making the score 8-7 in favor of FBC. Edwards lost Alec Raboin on a full count walk, bringing Gabe Black to the dish. 3 pitches later, the game was over as Edwards struck out Black swinging to end the game, and giving FBC the chance to play again for the championship.

That inning seemed to prove pivotal for the next game as the wind was taken from the sails of YMCA. Even though they won the coin toss and elected to be the home team, they were not able to recover, and FBC stormed out by scoring 5 runs in the top of the first.

4 pitches were thrown, and 4 base hits ensued as Trevor Edwards, Damien Ferguson, Drake Jeffries and Dalton Stephens all jumped on first pitch offerings from Alec Raboin, and FBC was well on its way. Trevor Edwards singled and quickly stole second before a pitch was even thrown to Damien Ferguson. Edwards then scored as Damien singled up the middle, and Drake Jeffries drove Damien home by hitting a triple. Jeffries then followed Damien home when Dalton Stephens hit an infield single to the first baseman. Hamilton's throw to first with the pitcher covering was late and errant, so Stephens took advantage and headed safely into second base before promptly stealing third. Dalton Armes picked up right where he left off, lofting a full count breaking ball deep into right field for a run producing triple. Brayton Sparrow singled to drive in Armes for the fifth and final run of the inning as the shell-shocked YMCA squad headed to their dugout, victims of a 5-0 deficit.

Great moments create great opportunities, and Damien Ferguson was called upon to be the starting pitcher in this crucial game which would decide the championship of the 2009 Kid Pitch Post-Season Tournament. Damien had only been asked to be the starting pitcher once before, a game in which he won and he earned a save, so this was somewhat unfamiliar territory for him. I still do not believe he even realizes right now this very moment what a great job he did in an extremely difficult and pressure-filled situation, but he rose to the occasion, nonetheless. Damien shut down the big bats of YMCA. He struck out the first 2 batters he faced before allowing an infield single to Alec Raboin. Damien's throw was wild, allowing Raboin to reach second safely. This could have spelled disaster for another player, but not for Damien. Gabe Black also had an infield single that went off the glove of Damien, and Raboin took third. Damien did not let this bother him, either, and he struck out Jacob Watson to end the inning.

FBC scored their sixth run of the game when Damien Ferguson hit a 2 out single into left. He stole second and third before coming home on a single by Dalton Stephens. Damien took the mound in the bottom of the second inning. He gave up his third infield single, this time to Nate Browning. Dru Baker and Reese Bergstrom both walked to load the bases, bringing up Jordan Easton. Damien struck out the batter for out number 1, and Logan Coartney came to the plate. Coartney had the fourth infield hit of the game for YMCA, although if there had been a more experienced catcher behind the plate at the time, no run would have scored. Instead of staying at home to take the throw from the pitcher, catcher Dalton Stephens went after the ball, and Damien was not able to get the out at the plate as he should have been able to do. This brought up the top of the order for YMCA with the bases loaded and only 1 out, but Damien seemed unfazed. He struck out Mitchell Kremer swinging on a back door, 2 seam fastball for out number 2. He then received some great defensive help from his younger brother, Donovan, who was playing second base at the time. Donovan took a hit away from Rayme Hamilton, as well as runs for YMCA. Hamilton's smash appeared headed into right center field, but Donovan ran and slid to his right to knock the ball down, keeping it on the infield. The ball went into the glove of shortstop Drake Jeffries, who stood on second base for the inning ending final out.

FBC made it 9-1 by scoring 3 runs in the top of the third. Brayton Sparrow singled, Joseph Rader was hit by a pitch, and both runners came home on a double by Skyler Hood. Michael Brown singled Skyler home for the third run. Damien went back to pitch in the bottom of the third. Alec Raboin lined out to shortstop Drake Jeffries for the first out of the inning. Gabe Black drew a 4 pitch walk and stole second, but Jacob Watson popped out in foul territory to catcher Dalton Stephens for out number 2. Damien then struck out Nate Browning looking on a full count, 4 seam fastball to end the inning.

FBC scored a single tally in the top of the fourth on a 1 out home run off the bat of Drake Jeffries. Dalton Stephens, Brayton Sparrow and Donovan Ferguson all singled in the frame, but FBC could not plate another runner as Dalton Armes was thrown out at home trying to score on Donovan's single, ending the inning.

Logan Coartney scored the second and final run of the game for YMCA in the bottom of the fifth. Logan walked off pitcher Dalton Stephens. Coartney stole second and third base before he came in to score on an infield single off the bat of Mitchell Kremer. Kremer stole second base before FBC turned their second unusual double play of the evening. Rayme Hamilton hit to shortstop Drake Jeffries, who threw to first baseman Damien Ferguson for out number 1. Kremer tried to reach third safely, so Damien fired over to third baseman Brayton Sparrow. Hamilton stopped in his tracks, reversed himself and headed back toward second base, caught in a pickle. Sparrow threw to shortstop Jeffires, and Hamilton attempted to go back to third. Jeffries' throw back to Sparrow at third was a good one, and Sparrow tagged out the runner, completing the double play. Jacob Watson struck out swinging following walks to Alec Raboin and Gabe Black, ending the threat.

Damien Ferguson started a 1 out rally in the top of the sixth inning for FBC when he was struck on his ankle by a pitch thrown by Rayme Hamilton. Damien stole second to get into scoring postion for Drake Jeffries, who singled Damien home to make the score 11-2. Jeffries also stole second base, but he could advance no further than third base on the Texas League bloop double into right hit by Dalton Stephens. Jeffries had to hold up on the play in case the ball would have been caught. Dalton Armes, however, drove Jeffries home with an infield single to shortstop Alec Raboin, who made a sensational diving stop of the ball to prevent Dalton Stephens from scoring. Brayton Sparrow struck out and Donovan Ferguson hit a ball that was heading for left field, but Alec Raboin made another fine play, catching the ball with his back to the plate, robbing Donovan of a hit and an RBI.

Drake Jeffries set down YMCA in order in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing about the post-game celebration.

A story and pictures of the game can also be found at mattoonmessenger.net.

Jackson Dealership Bows Out, Loses 4-1

Below left: Donovan Ferguson receives instruction from coach Matt Jackson just before scoring Jackson Dealership's only run.

The Jackson Dealership's run in the post-season coach Pitch Tournament came to an end as they bowed out to Innovative 4-1 on Friday, June 26, 2009. Jackson's season record was 10-11.

Right: Donovan Ferguson races from shortstop to cover third base on a force out.
Jackson played well defensively, but they just could not string enough hits together as Donovan Ferguson scored the lone run for his team.

Donovan had a great season, finishing with a .759 AVG., 1 home run, 31 runs scored and 37 RBIs. He also played very well defensively.

9-7 Victory Puts FBC in Championship Round!

In a game that see-sawed with lead and momentum changes, FBC fought its way into the Championship Round of the post-season tournament by defeating a very good Alamo club 9-7 on Saturday, June 26, 2009. With the victory, FBC's record improves to 12-8 on the year.
Following a weather-shortened 9-2 loss on Thursday night in which the team managed just 3 hits, FBC came out swinging the bat, pounded the ball for 14 hits, including 7 for extra bases.
Both teams failed to score in the first inning, but FBC went up 3-2 in the second. Dalton Armes and Brayton Sparrow each had 1 out singles, and they both moved into scoring position when they pulled off a successful double steal. Following a strikeout to Donovan Ferguson, Skyler Hood came through with a big 2 out double that plated both Armes and Sparrow. Michael Brown then came through with his first of 3 base hits by following up with a double of his own into right field, driving in Brown with the third and final run of the inning for the boys in purple. Trevor Edwards struck out Brayton Hall looking on a full count, 8 pitch at bat to start the bottom of the second.
Left: Damien Ferguson, just before hitting a lead off home run in the top of third inning.

Andrew Edwards doubled into center before Gunner Runyan walked on a full count. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, and Edwards lost his second batter of the inning to a walk, this time on a full count fastball that was wide of the strike zone, loading the bases. Jacob Mathers became the third consecutive Alamo batter to be issued a full count free pass, driving in Edwards from third base for Alamo's first run of the game. David Arthur took a called third strike for out number 2, but Edwards lost Ben Winograd after getting ahead 0-2 in the count, walking him with 4 consecutive balls, and bringing the top of the order to the plate with the bases still loaded, and the score standing 3-2 FBC. Dalton Stephens, who looked wild while warming up, came on in relief, and he promptly struck out leadoff hitter Tanner Miller on 3 pitches to end the threat.
Damien Ferguson drove a first pitch fastball from Cooper Simmonds deeo into right center field for a leadoff home run, putting FBC up 4-2. Dalton Stephens singled with 1 out and stole second and third, but he was left stranded, as FBC could do no further damage. Stephens went back pitching for FBC in the bottom of the third, but wildness and poor defense led to 5 runs being scored by Alamo as they took a 7-4 lead. Cooper Simmonds singled to start the inning, moving to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. Zach Hall drew a full count free pass and Tucker Rappe also walked to load the bases for Brayton Wall. Wall popped up to second baseman Brayton Sparrow, but unfortunately, the ball was not caught, and Simmonds scored from third. Andrew Edwards hit a double into center field that also could have been caught with a little more effort being made, and Hall and Rappe both came home as Wall took third, making the score 5-4 in favor of Alamo. Gunner Runyan singled to drive in Wall from third base, putting runners at the corners. A pitching change was made and Damien Ferguson took the mound. Brayton Sparrow was moved to third from second base, Dalton Armes went from first to shortstop, and Stephens took over at first base. Joey Munoz popped up to third base on the first pitch he saw, but it was not caught, and Edwards scored from third. A wild pitch put runners at second and third. Jacob Mathers lined out to Dalton Stephens at first for out number 1, and then Damien struck out both David Arthur and Ben Winograd to keep the score 7-4 Alamo.

Right: Donovan Ferguson runs towards first in the top of the fifth.

Below: Donovan Ferguson hangs onto a called third strike to end the bottom of the third inning.Neither team scored in the 4th inning, but in the top of the fifth, FBC exploded for 5 runs. Damien Ferguson hit a long, fly ball into deep center field for a leadoff double. Drake Jeffries followed with an infield single, moving Damien to third. Jeffries stole second, placing 2 runners in scoring position for Dalton Stephens. Stephens blasted a pitch from Tucker Rappe into right field for a 3 run homer to tie the score at 7 apiece. Dalton Armes then whalloped a 1 strike pitch into left field for a triple, and he scored on Brayton Sparrow's single to give FBC a lead of 8-7. Donovan Ferguson reached on a fielder's choice for out number 1. Donovan stole second and he scored FBC's final run when Michael Brown had his third hit of the game, a single into left, making the final score 9-7.

Below left: Damien Ferguson throwing a 2 seamer for a called third strike to end the third inning.

Drake Jeffries and Trevor Edwards each pitched a scoreless inning in the fifh and sixth frames. Jeffries got the win, while Edwards earned his second save of the season.

Below right: Donovan Ferguson races towards home with the ninth and final run of the game.

Jackson Dealerships Advances With 13-12 Win

Jackson Dealerships advanced in tournament play by defeating First National Bank 13-12 in walk off fashion on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Donovan Ferguson went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs, including a 2 run, game ending triple in the bottom of the fifth inning, to lead Jackson. Donovan had 2 assists and 2 putouts while playing shortstop. He made a shoestring grab of a sinking line drive to end the top of the fifth inning to keep the game close and set up his heroics in the bottom half of the inning.

Jackson plays Innovative tonight. The winner of this game advances to the Championship Round on Monday.

FBC's Win Streak Hits 7

The FBC Kid Pitch baseball team continued their fine play, winning their seventh straight game as #1 seed Diepholz, who came in boasting a league's best record of 15-2, fell victim 5-4 in extra innings on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. The win leaves FBC with an overall record of 11-7 and no defeats in the double-elimiantion, post-season tournament.

Donovan Ferguson, fresh off his Coach Pitch baseball team's victory, caught the entire game. His older brother, Damien, played shortstop flawlessly for the first six innings before coming in to take the mound and close the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Damien was 2 for 4 at the plate with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. He now has scored 25 runs and driven in 25 runs for the season, both tops for the club.

Trevor Edwards, mired in a season long hitting slump, had the big hit of the game. He drove home Michael Brown with the winning run from second base with 2 outs in the top of the seventh inning on a double into left center field.

Damien Ferguson pitched a 1-2-3 scoreless bottom of the seventh to earn his third save in as many opportunities. Damien was told to go with his 2 seam fastball when he took the mound, and to vary its speed and location, because while he was warming up, it was this pitch he was locating best. Additionally, he had very good movement with the ball. Damien did as he was told, and it worked out great. Damien got the first batter to ground out second to first to start the inning. Damien fell behind 3-0 before coming back to strike out the next batter looking for out number 2. He then induced the last batter to popup in foul territory to first baseman Dalton Stephens on a 1 ball, 1 strike pitch, ending the game.

FBC plays YMCA tonight. The winner of this game moves into the Championship Round of play.

The Threes Are Wild for Donovan Ferguson in 8-7 Victory

Donovan Ferguson went 3 for 3 with 3 runs batted in while scoring 3 runs to ignite his Jackson Dealerships Coach Pitch Baseball team to victory in the fourth round of post-season tournament play.

Jackson finished the regular season with a 7-9 record, but this was good enough to earn them the #2 seed from the West Division, as well as a first round bye. They lost their first game in the double-elimination tournament to the Little Schoolhouse, 18-6, before bouncing back with victories over D to Z (13-6) and Lorenz (8-7).

Donovan also brought his glove with him to this game. He had 3 putouts and 3 assists from his shortstop position, with the key play coming in the top of the second inning as Jackson pulled off the triple play trifecta. Lorenz's first 2 batters reached safely by hitting singles into left field, bringing up Wyatt Webb. Webb hit a line drive that looked as if it was heading into center field, and both runners took off. Sam Perry, playing the pitcher position, would have no part in conceding the hit, and he snagged the hard hit liner for out number 1. Perry wheeled and fired the ball to first baseman Jacob Spitz, who caught the throw and stepped on first to double up Kayden Rice for out number 2. In the meantime, Donovan Ferguson called for the ball and raced for second when he noticed that Daniel Rayner, who had occupied second base, had not returned to the bag. Rayner sprinted back towards second as first baseman Spitz fired the ball towards Donovan. The southpaw's throw sailed towards the right field side of the bag, and Donovan stretched with all of his might to catch ball while keeping his right foot on the bag. He caught the ball just before Rayner reached second, completely the rare, but exciting, triple play!

It was nice to see the umpire get into very good position to make the call. He was right on top of the play, and I believe he made the correct call. Nobody argued, either, and I doubt there would have been any argument had he ruled the runner safe. It was a very close bang-bang play, but as I said, I believe he made the right call. As it turned out, the play probably ended up being the difference between a win and a loss since the score ended up being a 1 run contest.

Ferguson Tandem Come Up Big in First Round of Tournament Play

Damien and Donovan Ferguson both played huge roles in FBC's first round Kids Pitch Post-Season Tournament baseball game, a game which ended on a walk off base hit by Drake Jeffries, scoring Trevor Edwards from second base with the winning run in a thrilling 4-3 victory over the power-packed Kiwanis club. The victory officially is the team's sixth in a row, leaving them with an overall record of 10-7.

Donovan Ferguson made the defensive play of the game in the top of the first inning, a game which featured several defensive gems. Donovan was playing right center field when the powerful Elijah Schlabach came to the plate with nobody on and 2 outs. Elijah turned on a fastball from Drake Jeffries that rocketed into right field. Donovan, who has been practicing fly balls lately with his brothers and dad, got a really good jump on the ball. He ran to his left, getting his glove on the ball, and he just missed making a spectacular shoestring catch. Schlabach raced toards second base, but even his speed was no match for what followed. Suddenly, and seemingly possessed by the spirit of the great Hall of Famer and right fielder with a cannon of an arm for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Roberto Clemente, Donovan picked up the ball, turned and fired a strike all the way on a line into second base where his older brother, Damien Ferguson, stood, waiting to catch the missile. The ball arrived so quickly and it was launched so perfectly that the play was anticlimactic. It wasn't even close. Schlabach was easily out as Damien tagged the oncoming runner, whose look of stunned disbelief told the whole story.

Damien Ferguson took the momentum with him into the bottom of the first inning. sending a full count fastball over the head of the shortstop for a single. Damien then stole second and third base with Drake Jeffries at the plate. Damien's nifty base running put FBC ahead 1-0. Damien did not run into an out, but instead, he held at third when the ball hit by Jeffries was fielded by the pitcher. Schlabach threw to first to nip Jeffries for the second out of the inning, and when Damien saw the throw going into first base, he raced for home. The return throw home actually beat Damien to the plate, but Damien made a great slide, avoiding the tag for the first run of the game.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth inning when Kiwanis took a 1 run lead. Trevor Edwards was on the mound, having come in to pitch in the top of the third. Edwards found himself getting into trouble as he walked leadoff batter Clayton Hirsch. Preston Hayes lined out to left center fielder Drake Jeffries for out number 1, and Drake's throw back into first base almost doubled off Hirsch. Hirsch then reached third safely on a stolen base and a throwing error by catcher Skyler Hood. Elijah Schlabach walked and stole second, putting runners at second and third. Cayden Collings singled into center field to plate Hirsch as Schlabach was held up at third base, putting runners at the corner. Nathan Ray followed with a walk to load the bases. Time was asked for and granted, and Damien Ferguson was brought in from shortstop to relieve Edwards with the bases loaded, 1 out and the game on the line. And then came a brief moment of controversy.

Ethan Carmean came to the plate, and Damien Ferguson fell behind 2-0. He then followed with 2 quick strikes to even the count at 2-2. The batter was standing in the batter's box, and Damien did as he has been taught: He pitched the ball. Time had not been called for, and neither had it been granted. So when Damien saw the batter standing in the batter's box and not looking, Damien threw a pitch. The umpire was ready, and in fact, he was preparing to call strike 3 and ring up the batter. It was then that the third base coach (and member of the board, by the way) complained to the umpire that Damien had "quick-pitched" the batter, and that time should have been called. The umpire, who was a young teenage boy, obviously was intimidated by an adult (and member of the board, by the way), so he reversed himself and ruled the ball a "no pitch." So instead of Damien striking out the batter, which is what should have happened because a pitch is not a "no pitch" in hindsight, but can only be ruled a "no pitch" by the umpire at the time it is delivered, Damien ended up walking the batter, forcing in the go-ahead run from third base. But Damien did not let the call bother him, and he bore down, striking out Gavin Bennett on a back door, 2 seam fastball for out number 2. He then induced Brody Shook to ground out to third baseman Brayton Sparrow, who fielded the ball and stepped on third for the final out of the inning. FBC tied the score at 2 apiece when Drake Jeffries had a 2 out RBI double that drove in Michael Brown from second base. Brown had reached second after being issued a leadoff walk and stealing.

Kiwanis threatened with 2 outs in the top of the fifth inning, but they failed to score, leaving runners stranded at first and second. Damien got Preston Hayes to line out to second baseman Dalton Stephens to end the inning. FBC took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Dalton Armes led off with a single into center field, and Brayton Sparrow joined his teammate on base when he was hit by a pitch. Joseph Rader went down swinging for out number 1, bringing up Donovan "Roberto" Ferguson. Donovan fell behind no balls and 2 strikes, his second strike being a ball that just landed foul down the first base line. With 2 strikes on him, Donovan protected the plate, going with the pitch, and lining an outside corner fastball into right field for a double, scoring Armes, whose slide at home just beat the tag, putting FBC up 3-2. FBC could not muster anything more, however, and the inning ended with Donovan and Brayton stranded on base, bringing up the exciting sixth and final inning.

Drake Jeffries went back to the mound with his team clinging to a 1 run lead, and the heart of the Kiwanis order coming to the plate. Elijah Schlabach led off with a single into center field. He did not stay there long, however, as Cayden Collings' double deep into left field tied the score 3-3. Jeffries then struck out the next 3 batters as battery mate Donovan Ferguson held onto the foul tip third strike off the bat of Gavin Bennett to end the inning for Kiwanis, and bringing up the top of the batting order for FBC. Trevor Edwards was plunked hard on the helmet as Schlabach resumed pitching duties for Kiwanis, but Edwards bounced up immediately, and sprinted to first base unfazed. Damien Ferguson, who has been very good in the clutch for FBC lately, came to bat, but he fell behind 0-2. It looked as if he was going to do it again as he blasted a pitch down the third base line, but it was not meant to be this time. Nathan Ray made a great shoestring catch of the ball, robbing Damien of extra bases and another walk off hit, and momentarily saving the game for Kiwanis. This brought up Drake Jeffries. Trevor stole second to move into scoring position, and the count went full. I was suprised the Kiwanis coach did not elect to just go ahead and walk Drake at that point, but he chose not to, and Drake came through, sending the next pitch into center field as Edwards raced safely home with the winning run.

Drake Jeffries and Donovan Ferguson were awarded game balls at the conclusion of the game.