A genuine randomness
May 29th, 2008, 1:42 am · Post a Comment · posted by itsonlyagame
There’s a genuine randomness to which team wins a softball game. Virginia/A-C Central’s loss to No. 1-ranked Lebanon in Wednesday’s Carrollton Super-sectional was a perfect example.
With the bases loaded, Lebanon’s Courtney Belcher fouled off two pitches that rolled just inches foul near home plate. On the first, VAC’s Taylor Jacobs made a spectacular play, grabbing the ball and diving back to tag the plate for an apparent forceout. Foul ball. On the second, a bunt attempt, the ball dribbled down the third-base line, then just barely veered to the left before Jacobs could pick it up. Foul ball.
With two strikes on her, Belcher then swung away, slapping a ball that scooted just inches past shortstop Brittany Parks, who was just inches from being interfered with by the runner going from second to third. With the help of an error, Belcher wound up circling the bases on the play.
Inches and inches and inches.
VAC had a great season — a GREAT season — and deserved a better fate. And that’s about all it came down to — fate. It just makes you wonder.
Virginia/A-C Central won 29 games this year and lost only 5. With almost everyone from a young team coming back next year, they’re bound to improve on that mark. And next time, maybe the ball will roll their way.
