Corvallis

July 3rd- We hit the road for a 9 game road trip, first stop, Corvallis, Oregon. We are playing the Corvallis Knights, and they get to play at Goss Stadium on the campus of Oregon State, and tonight is their firework night. It s an amazing facility, but I guess that is what you get after winning back-to-back National Championships. It was a packed house, and max capacity is close to 3,500 fans. Tonight/today was definitely a day where God showed His work and power a little more evidently as He got my family up here after a flat tire and an early morning of driving. I somehow found my mom walk into the stadium amongst the other 3,500+ fans, so I was happy to see them. I went down to the bullpen, and don’t tell coach, but I was texting from the bullpen to help my parents find the stadium, and once they got there, I spent an inning talking to them. Then before I knew it, it was time for me to warm up! So not only did my parents make it to the game, somehow get into the stadium even though no tickets were available, and got there to see me warm up in the bullpen. I went into the game in the bottom of the 7th, with runners on first and second, with one out. God gives me strength (Isaiah 12:2) and I just tried to focus on the catcher and the batter, even though people were rattling their cowbells throughout Goss Stadium. A picked off runner, 2 strikeouts, a fly out and a ground out later, I had finished 1.2 innings. Much props to Mike Chiarelli, Chris Pierce, and Chris Sturdivant because those guys are pretty good and their defensive support was what a pitcher always desires when they are on the mound. Being able to pitch in front of such a large crowd, on firework night before the Fourth of July, and having my family there when I haven’t seen them in a couple of months was awesome. Not to mention, the Knights GM had offered me a 10 day contract prior to Coach Matthews giving me a call and offering me a full contract, so I wonder if he was there tonight watching. Tonight was more than I could ever ask for, and I am thankful for my number One fan, who is always watching. He is the reason as to why I pitch. Happy Fourth of July everyone.