The second day of the tournament was single elimination and set to start 8am. Our boys were 3rd seed and got the best schedule there was (in my opinion). Hubby and Danny got in the truck at 6am to make it to 7am warm ups before the game. I stayed behind to take Kate & A to volleyball and teach Primary w/ Michelle and Natalie going to Church too. We were able to listen to the entire first game in the car to and from volleyball and to Church as we drove and got ready for the day. They won the low scoring and well matched game 3-2 to move on to the next round at 10am. By the time we got home from Church Danny's team had won their second game 11-6 and were in the final four out of 28 teams that showed up to play. That alone was enough to impress me! The original plan for us girls to make the drive in my car after we got home and had lunch but knowing how hot it it was outside Natalie asked me, "Do we HAVE to go?" Hubby and I have never wanted to force our kids to watch their siblings' sporting events so I had to tell her the truth. That we didn't gave to go. By that time A's family had brought her and Kate home from their last day of CU volleyball camp and they wanted to hang out at our house. When I told Michelle we were going to listen to Game Changer instead of driving out there she said ok. Turns out we all wished we had made the journey out there because it was an exciting game! Pictured below is Natalie with two of her friends pretending to go to the baseball game, complete with purses and imaginary concession stand purchases in tow, listening to the game on our play room speakers.
Danny hit a grand slam over the fence home run during the 3rd game of the tournament!!! Hubby texted me that he was so busy cheering that he didn't think to get out the camera. So I asked him to please take a picture of Danny of where the ball landed after the game. Danny now has two home run baseballs in his collection and is looking forward to whenever the next one will be. I am sure this home run also helped with his batting average, which is now 400, which was the goal Hubby had set for him to end the season with. With an amazing 22-2 win (actually mercy ruling the other team which was great to get out of the heat), they moved on to the championship game. There was a whole lot of cheering at my house!
And then there was a lot of excitement listening to the championship game! At first it sounded like either team could win and it was pretty intense. But the Vibes came out on top, winning 16-10! Imagine the celebration!
We girls were pretty sad we weren't there to see it in person but I was comforted to know that this will be a great memory for Hubby and Danny. Four games in one day and now they are state champions! I was also so happy I let Danny's former teammate’s mom know that they were playing near their new house. She said it was a ten minute drive (vs. our one hour drive) and their family made it to the game to cheer on Danny and another former teammate of A's, B. I'm so glad they went! I also heard that with the later start time plus some clouds the weather was actually quite nice to play in.
I am so very grateful for Danny's coaches, teammates, and the families that make this team so enjoyable to be a part of. Of course it's more fun to win, but just to have the experience of playing this much baseball in one weekend is amazing in and of itself.
I stopped feeling bad that I was only listening instead of being there when I did the mom duties of taking my son to get help with his shoulder pain and attacked the dirtiest uniform I've ever seen. lol. Here's the before picture, the soaking in Oxi Clean (for 6 hours like the product said to) and occasionally stirring with long handled tongs to save my skin from more chemical itching, and the final result after spending time in our washer and dryer.
Ta da! All ready for the last tournament of the season. Since state was the last official one I hear this is an extra, fun one before a month break from baseball. I’m looking forward to watching in person. And shout out to Kari C, who told me about soaking white sports uniforms in Oxi Clean long ago.
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