A lot of guys crowd the plate in an effort to force pitchers to leave the ball over the middle and outer thirds, where they are more vulnerable. Most back away when a pitcher decides he’s had enough and busts one inside.

Not Jack Carlson. Not even after taking six hit by pitches in a single week, three coming in one game against M-I.

With the bases empty and one out already in the inning, Carlson knew his team needed a spark. So when an Islander pitcher decided to test his will, it wasn’t a tough choice for the Bellevue junior. “I try to see a pitch away and if he comes inside, just wear it,” Carlson said. That is exactly what he did in his first at-bat against Mercer Island in a game last week, turning to be hit by the pitch and earning himself a spot on base. But it isn’t quite that simple.

Leaning into the strike zone, or not making a valid attempt to get out of the way of a pitch, will lead in first base not being awarded. Carlson made sure to roll his shoulders while backing his body away from the plate, ensuring the ball would make contact but would not do so in a way that would result in a call of batter interference.

Three batters later, Carlson scored the first Bellevue run of the game to give his team an early lead.

It was more of the same in the five-run second. This time with two outs, Carlson again knew he had to get on base anyway possible. Another inside pitch, another free trip to first. In the next at-bat, Reid Wagner tripled, bringing home Carlson. The Wolverines would go on to score four in the inning and take control, winning by a single run, 8-7.

Without Carlson’s toughness, they may have come up just short.