Freshman Sam Fuller is a member of the varsity baseball team and had a chance to open as a pitcher in the team’s first game of the season. He pitched wonderfully, winning the game against Georgia Gwinnett College with a 12-0 no hitter. Below he shares some of his thoughts on starting that game and the baseball season.
Pitching A No-Hitter
by Sam Fuller
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Playing baseball has always been pretty second nature to me. However, I don’t think I have ever been so nervous during a game as I was that day. Only being a freshman and being called on to start the first game of the season was pretty crazy. The day before I couldn’t sleep, and the day of, I couldn’t focus during class at all.
When I got off the bus I knew it was go time. I had to bow my neck and go to work. It was good to have guys like Matt (Olson), Bailey (Combs), Luke (Miltner), Ryan (Wesley), and Bradley (Davidson) encouraging me and having my back. Also, Coach Burgess (volunteer coach) came out on the mound after my first batter and helped calm me down a bit. He has a very calm way of talking and wasn’t angry at me for being a little wild on my first batter. I got out of the first inning one, two, three, which was incredibly unnerving.
After the first inning ended I was able to settle in and start pounding the zone. Throwing a no-hitter wasn't the big deal to me. I just wanted our team to win.
It was a plus that it was a no-hitter, but personally I am just happy that my team won. We are a smaller school, so for us to go out there and win against a big 5A high school was a real statement. With the guys on this team and the new coaching staff on hand, I think we’ve got a shot these next few years.
Pitching A No-Hitter
by Sam Fuller
Playing baseball has always been pretty second nature to me. However, I don’t think I have ever been so nervous during a game as I was that day. Only being a freshman and being called on to start the first game of the season was pretty crazy. The day before I couldn’t sleep, and the day of, I couldn’t focus during class at all.
When I got off the bus I knew it was go time. I had to bow my neck and go to work. It was good to have guys like Matt (Olson), Bailey (Combs), Luke (Miltner), Ryan (Wesley), and Bradley (Davidson) encouraging me and having my back. Also, Coach Burgess (volunteer coach) came out on the mound after my first batter and helped calm me down a bit. He has a very calm way of talking and wasn’t angry at me for being a little wild on my first batter. I got out of the first inning one, two, three, which was incredibly unnerving.
After the first inning ended I was able to settle in and start pounding the zone. Throwing a no-hitter wasn't the big deal to me. I just wanted our team to win.
It was a plus that it was a no-hitter, but personally I am just happy that my team won. We are a smaller school, so for us to go out there and win against a big 5A high school was a real statement. With the guys on this team and the new coaching staff on hand, I think we’ve got a shot these next few years.
