The Aftermath – A Star is Born

The celebration was still going strong an hour after the final out. Logan sat in the dugout, helmet off, hair damp with sweat, watching as his teammates ran around the field like little kids. Big Mac had already hoisted Drew, the game's defensive hero, onto his shoulders twice, while Jimmy was posing for pictures with the championship trophy.

The Titans had done it—tournament champions.

Logan could hardly believe it. Just a month ago, he had been the guy who didn't know the rules, the guy who ran to third instead of first, the guy who had nearly cost the team games with his inexperience.

Now?

Now, his clutch baserunning had tied the game. Now, he was getting high-fives from everyone. Now, he was no longer "Wrong-Way Logan."

He was Clutch Carter.

As he sat there, soaking it all in, Coach Talbot walked over, arms crossed. His usual serious expression was softer, the corners of his lips threatening a rare smile.

"You played one hell of a tournament, Carter," Coach said.

Logan looked up, wiping sweat off his forehead with his jersey. "Thanks, Coach. Means a lot."

Coach nodded. "I'll admit, when Drew and Big Mac dragged you onto this team, I thought you'd be a lost cause. But you worked your tail off. You earned your spot."

Logan smiled. "I had some good teachers."

Coach Talbot chuckled. "You sure did. But they can only teach so much. The rest? That was all you."

Logan felt a surge of pride. This wasn't just a lucky moment—he had earned this.

"Keep working, Carter," Coach added. "You've got something special."

And with that, he walked off, leaving Logan sitting there, his mind spinning.

Something special.

Did he?

Before he could think too much about it, Drew ran over, tossing an arm around his shoulders. "Come on, Clutch! You're the hero, bro. No sitting on the bench looking all deep and philosophical."

Logan laughed. "Hero? You literally made a game-saving catch."

"Yeah, but you stole home like a lunatic and started the rally," Drew said, shaking him by the shoulders. "Dude, you're on another level."

Before Logan could respond, Big Mac, still riding the high of the win, dragged them both into a team huddle.

"We did it, boys!" Big Mac bellowed, voice hoarse from shouting all game. "Now, who's ready to eat? 'Cause I'm starving."

The team cheered, and before Logan knew it, they were heading to a restaurant to celebrate.

The Celebration: A New Kind of Spotlight

The team took over a local burger joint, filling the restaurant with their victory shouts, laughter, and the occasional chant of "TITANS, TITANS, TITANS!"

Logan was just happy to be one of them now.

Drew sat across from him, shoveling fries into his mouth, while Big Mac was attempting to break the "triple-burger challenge", a ridiculous test of eating three of the biggest burgers on the menu in under ten minutes.

"Yo, Clutch," Jimmy called from the other end of the table, waving his phone in the air. "You're trending, dude."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Jimmy turned his screen around. A video of Logan stealing home in the championship game was blowing up on social media.

The caption read:

"Ballsy move. Logan Carter goes for it all in the championship. #ClutchCarter"

It had thousands of views already.

Logan's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

Drew laughed. "Dude, you're viral."

Big Mac, still stuffing his face, snorted. "Better get used to it, Clutch. People love a Cinderella story."

Logan wasn't sure what to say. He had just been focused on winning—not going viral.

He looked at the screen again, watching himself slide across home plate, fist-pumping after scoring.

For the first time, it hit him.

He wasn't just some kid who accidentally ended up on the baseball team.

He was becoming something more.

The Next Day: An Unexpected Call

Logan woke up the next morning feeling sore but satisfied. He had planned to sleep in after the tournament, but his phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

When he finally checked it, he nearly fell out of bed.

He had hundreds of new notifications.

"Bro, ESPN reposted your steal of home."

"You were on the local news last night!"

"D1 scouts are talking about you. Do you even realize what you just did?"

Logan's heart pounded.

Scouts?

He opened his messages, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.

One of them was from a college baseball recruiter.

"Logan, this is Coach Henderson from South Texas University. I saw your tournament performance and wanted to connect. Let's talk."

Logan stared at his phone.

A college coach? Reaching out to him?

A month ago, he barely knew the rules.

Now, a Division I program was interested?

Drew must have heard Logan's stunned silence from across the room because he poked his head into the doorway. "Yo, what's up? You look like you saw a ghost."

Logan slowly held up his phone.

Drew leaned in, read the message, and immediately lost his mind.

"NO. FREAKING. WAY." he shouted, shaking Logan.

Big Mac, who had been half-asleep on the couch, groggily looked up. "What's happening?"

Drew shoved the phone in his face.

Big Mac read the message. Blinked. Then grinned.

"Called it," he said, stretching. "Knew someone was gonna come calling."

Logan was still in shock.

This wasn't supposed to happen this fast.

Drew grabbed Logan by the shoulders. "Bro. Are you actually realizing what this means?"

Logan exhaled, still processing. "I think so."

"You think so?!" Drew practically shook him. "You might get a scholarship. This could be your future!"

Logan sat down on the edge of his bed, gripping his phone.

A few weeks ago, he had joined the baseball team as a joke.

Now?

Now, he had college recruiters watching him.

Now, people knew his name.

Now, he had a chance at something bigger than he ever imagined.

He took a deep breath and looked up at Drew and Big Mac.

"This is just the beginning, isn't it?"

Big Mac grinned. "Oh, buddy, you have no idea."

Drew slapped him on the back. "Buckle up, Clutch. Things are about to get crazy."

Logan smirked, a newfound fire in his eyes.

He was ready.

Whatever came next, he was ready.

To Be Continued…

(Next Chapter: Logan faces the reality of college recruitment—what happens now?)