Two on, one out. Top 7, 1-1 ballgame.
Before the ball was even hit to him, Newport centerfielder Nate Anderson had devised a plan.
“I know the game is tied up and if he [the lead runner] is going home, I need to get him,” Anderson said.
Stopping aggressive base running is critical at any point in a game, but flat out taking away a run is a game-changer.
So as Anderson watched the flight of the fly ball, he knew the situation and he knew he would need to a frozen rope to snag this would be thief.
But to deliver the perfect throw, Anderson first had to get himself in perfect position.
The experienced junior made sure to take a good path and by charging hard through the ball, ensured an easier transfer of weight into the throw. By keeping sound fundamental mechanics with his legs, Anderson made sure he would not only be able to get off a throw, he would be able to get off the throw he and the Knights needed at that exact moment.
“I barehanded it and saw him running home and just threw it as hard as I could,” Anderson said. “If I wouldn’t have thrown that guy out, it would have been 2-1.”
But he did, giving his team the extra life they needed.
No RBI. No lead. Just your garden variety 8-3 putout in the score book and an ending-ending, rally-snuffing sniper shot from center field.
Two on, two out. Top 9, still 1-1.
Pickoff plays can be tricky things, especially in the high school game.
Without an extended period of time together a la Spring Training, putting together the best squad, working the fundamentals and establishing basic principles are all coaches have time for at the prep level.
So when an attempted pickoff went awry for the Knights in the ninth, Anderson was prepared.
“I saw it going the other way and I knew the shortstop probably wouldn’t have a chance to catch it,” said Anderson. “I always back that play up, but when I saw that I started running harder.”
Needing to squeeze out a run any way possible at this point-on the road against a top league contender, the Wolves rolled the dice on the bases again.
Anderson made sure they came up snake eyes. Again.
“I was trying not to air-mail it,” said the Newport junior. “I threw it hard on a hop and [third baseman] Aaron [Sandefur] picked it and made a nice play.”
In the bottom half of the ninth, Newport senior Nick Clifford hit a solo walk-off shot to give his team a 2-1 win.
If not for Anderson channeling his inner-Buhner, he would never have gotten the chance.
