The Championship Game – One Last Test
The Titans had battled their way through the tournament, stunning the powerhouse Stonebrook Raptors in a walk-off and grinding out a tense, defensive win against the Ridgeway Eagles. Now, only one team stood between them and the championship: the Brighton Warriors.
Brighton was undefeated all season. Their lineup was stacked with power hitters, and their ace pitcher, a right-hander named Ethan Caldwell, was known for his filthy breaking balls and pinpoint command.
Logan sat in the dugout before the game, taping his wrist as Drew paced back and forth in front of him.
"This is it, man," Drew said, cracking his knuckles. "Last game. Everything we worked for."
Big Mac stretched his massive legs, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "Y'all act like we're walking into a war zone. Relax. We've been underdogs this whole tournament, and look where we are."
Coach Talbot strolled into the dugout, clapping his hands. "Listen up!"
The chatter died instantly.
"This is what we came for. You boys have fought like hell to get here. We've beaten good teams, and we've earned this spot. Don't change a thing. We play hard, we play our game, and we leave it all on the field."
A roar erupted from the dugout.
Jimmy punched Logan's shoulder. "Let's get it, Clutch."
Logan exhaled. It was time.
First Inning: A Rough Start
The Titans were the visiting team, meaning they batted first.
Caldwell wasted no time showing why he was one of the best pitchers in the state.
Drew stepped in as the leadoff hitter.
Strike one.
Strike two.
Strike three.
Caldwell's slider was brutal, disappearing at the last second.
Big Mac fared no better. He worked a full count, fouling off two pitches, but Caldwell froze him with a fastball at the knees.
Two outs.
Logan gripped his bat and stepped into the box.
Caldwell eyed him and fired a curveball that broke hard inside. Logan barely checked his swing.
Ball one.
The next pitch—a fastball up in the zone.
Logan swung.
Crack!
The ball shot off his bat and into the gap in right-center field.
Logan sprinted out of the box, rounding first hard. The center fielder cut it off, but Logan didn't hesitate—he slid into second base safely.
A two-out double.
The Titans dugout erupted.
Jimmy was up next, but Caldwell bore down, striking him out with another nasty slider.
The Titans had threatened but came up empty.
Bottom of the First: Brighton Strikes First
Brighton's lineup was every bit as dangerous as advertised.
Their leadoff hitter lined a single to left.
The next batter dropped down a perfect bunt, advancing the runner.
One out.
Then their cleanup hitter, a bulky first baseman, crushed a fastball deep into the left-center gap.
Run scored. 1-0, Brighton.
Coach Talbot called time and walked to the mound.
"Settle down," he told his pitcher. "Get the next one."
The Titans got out of the inning without further damage, but the tone was set—Brighton wasn't going to roll over.
Middle Innings: A Dogfight
The game turned into an all-out battle.
The Titans tied it in the third when Drew worked a walk, stole second, and scored on a single by Big Mac.
1-1.
Brighton answered right back in the fourth with a solo home run from their cleanup hitter.
2-1, Brighton.
Logan made a diving stop on a grounder in the fifth, saving a run and keeping the game within reach.
Both teams were trading punches, neither backing down.
By the sixth inning, it was still 2-1, Brighton.
Then came the turning point.
Sixth Inning: Logan Steps Up
The Titans needed a spark.
Logan stepped into the box to start the inning.
Caldwell had been dominant, but Logan had seen enough of his pitches now.
First pitch—a slider low and away.
Logan let it go.
Ball one.
Next pitch—fastball, middle in.
Logan turned on it.
CRACK!
The ball soared into left field, bouncing off the wall.
Logan dug hard, sprinting around first and diving into second base just ahead of the throw.
A leadoff double.
The Titans had life.
Jimmy stepped up next and laid down a perfect bunt toward third.
Logan took off for third as the third baseman charged the ball.
He glanced home before throwing to first.
Bad decision.
Logan didn't stop running.
As soon as the ball left the third baseman's hand, Logan took off for the plate.
The first baseman turned to throw home, but Logan was already sliding.
Safe!
The dugout exploded.
2-2. Tie game.
Jimmy pumped his fist from first base. Logan slapped the plate and popped up, grinning ear to ear.
They weren't done yet.
Final Inning: A Championship Finish
It all came down to the seventh inning.
The score remained 2-2.
Coach Talbot gathered the team before they took the field for the bottom of the inning.
"One more inning. One more chance. Dig deep."
It all came down to the seventh inning.
The score was still tied 2-2.
The Titans needed one more run—and then they had to shut Brighton down.
Coach Talbot gathered the team before they took the field.
"One more inning. One more chance. Dig deep."
Top of the Seventh: The Go-Ahead Run
Logan stepped up to bat, leading off the inning.
Brighton's ace, Ethan Caldwell, was still on the mound, looking as sharp as ever.
Logan took a deep breath, locked in.
First pitch—curveball outside.
Ball one.
Second pitch—fastball, inside corner.
Strike one.
Logan adjusted his grip.
The next pitch? A hanging slider.
CRACK!
The ball soared into left field, bouncing off the wall.
Logan dug hard, sprinting into second for a leadoff double.
The Titans' dugout exploded.
Jimmy stepped up next.
Coach Talbot gave the bunt sign.
Jimmy laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, rolling it toward third.
Logan took off.
By the time the third baseman threw to first, Logan was already sliding into third.
One out. Runner on third.
The go-ahead run was 90 feet away.
Drew stepped up, the moment made for him.
Brighton's coach walked to the mound, signaling for a relief pitcher.
New pitcher. Fresh arm.
Drew stayed locked in.
First pitch—fastball.
Drew didn't bite.
Second pitch—curveball low.
Ball two.
The crowd buzzed. The pressure was insane.
Then, the pitcher made a mistake.
A fastball, belt high.
Drew unleashed.
CRACK!
A line drive into center field!
Logan took off, sprinting home.
The center fielder charged, fielded it cleanly, and fired home.
Logan slid—headfirst—his fingers grazing the plate.
The tag came down.
"SAFE!"
The Titans erupted.
3-2, Titans.
Logan popped up, pumping his fist.
Drew stood on first, yelling toward the dugout.
They had the lead.
Now?
They had to hold it.
Bottom of the Seventh: One Last Stand
The Titans took the field.
Three outs away from the championship.
Their pitcher was locked in.
Coach Talbot kept it simple. "Play smart. No mistakes."
First batter—ground ball to short.
Jimmy fielded it clean, fired to first.
One out.
Second batter—a deep fly to left.
The left fielder drifted back, caught it on the warning track.
Two outs.
One out away.
Then came Brighton's cleanup hitter.
The same guy who had homered earlier.
The Titans couldn't afford a mistake.
The pitcher took a deep breath, focused.
First pitch—fastball, outside.
Ball one.
Second pitch—curveball.
The batter swung through it.
Strike one.
The crowd was on its feet.
Coach Talbot signaled for a fastball.
The pitcher delivered.
CRACK!
A deep shot to right-center.
Logan's heart stopped.
Drew took off full speed.
He sprinted—tracked it—leaped at the warning track—
And SNAGGED IT in midair!
Game over.
The Titans had won the championship.
The dugout erupted. Players stormed the field, piling onto Drew as he held up the ball.
Logan stood frozen for a second, then let out a wild yell, sprinting toward his teammates.
Drew was mobbed in the outfield.
Big Mac hoisted him onto his shoulders.
Coach Talbot, usually stone-faced, was grinning as he shook his head in disbelief.
They had done it.
The Titans were tournament champions.
As Logan looked around at the celebrating team, he felt something he hadn't expected.
He had become a ballplayer.
And this was only the beginning.
To Be Continued…
(Next Chapter: The Aftermath—Logan's life changes after the championship!)