Anything but a watered-down victory for Hempfield

The outcome of Friday’s baseball game between Hempfield and Cedar Crest is one that will stick in the minds of the Hempfield players and coaches for a long time.

Heading in the bottom of the fifth inning, Cedar Crest led the first-place Black Knights, 7-2. Then after the fifth was over, it was 7-3. When the sixth concluded, it was 7-5. Then with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Hempfield loaded the bases and tied the game after Nick Yarnall beat out a throw at first base.

Finally, senior Jared Pestcoe drove in the winning run with a hard shot to the outfield and the Black Knights stormed the field in victory.

While the ending of the game was rather amazing; what happened after the game is what made a lasting impression on me.

I was interviewing Hempfield coach Jeremy Morrison when I noticed senior Chris Schroll and junior Michael Hernandez sneaking up behind their coach with the team’s water cooler. They motioned for me keep quiet and play along as they inched closer and I gladly obliged. As they approached us, I began to ask another question to keep Morrison’s attention and within seconds, the two player doused their coach with gallons of water; soaking him from head to toe.

It’s moments like those that will leave lasting memories for the players. Sure, they’ll talk about their impressive comeback for a couple days until the next big game arises. But I can imagine that there will be more stories in the future that begin with” Remember that time we dumped water on coach Morrison?”

“It’s a good memory for them but it’s one game of a twenty-game season,” Morrison said before getting soaked. “Our focus is going to be on practice tomorrow and McCaskey on Monday. We’ll enjoy it for a little while but we’re going to keep perspective on what’s important.”

It sounds like the game is already in the past for Hempfield. Luckily, the video and pictures captured will allow the post-game celebration to live on for quite some time.