"I'm relieved." Says Hillman. "No more practice. No more two hour bus rides only to sit the bench." FPC's long and tiring season had come to an end Saturday night after a 2-0 loss to Lake Bradley in the Class 8A regional quarter finals. Though Hillman's season had ended 25 games ago, he was still all smiles.
Three games into the season, with FPC leading 5-2 over the Mandarin Mustangs heading into the final inning, Matt Hillman was called upon to record the final three outs. I was in attendance for that game and let me say it was a game that no one will ever forget.
"That one dreadful game I pitched." Said Hillman as he reflected on the chilly February night. In front of a crowd of almost 100 people, Matt crumbled. He threw only nine pitches. Nine pitches, eight balls, two walks, one strike, and two credited runs.Without recording a single out, Matt was pulled from the game.
"I was really mad." Said Matt, after his 1st only relief appearance of the season flashed right before his eyes, and had to deal with the fact of having an ERA of infinity. "I didn't think I would make it this far." he said. "When they put me in the game it made me happier. Then those nine pitches ruined me."
Matt was never given another chance to pitch this season, but did come close several times for a chance at redemption. Even through the tough times, Matt said he was happy to have to company of his friends and teammates for helping him. Like Josh Febus, he says, for always being his throwing partner.
But now, Matt is trying to look at things on the positive side and says that he's going to approach his senior season the same way. "[I'm] going to do the same stuff. I earned a spot." He was also able to share with me his offseason workout plans, saying, "Running every now and then. And some golf."
 |
| This was Matt, just hour's before his 1st and last pitch of the season. |
"That one dreadful game I pitched." Said Hillman as he reflected on the chilly February night. In front of a crowd of almost 100 people, Matt crumbled. He threw only nine pitches. Nine pitches, eight balls, two walks, one strike, and two credited runs.Without recording a single out, Matt was pulled from the game.
"I was really mad." Said Matt, after his 1st only relief appearance of the season flashed right before his eyes, and had to deal with the fact of having an ERA of infinity. "I didn't think I would make it this far." he said. "When they put me in the game it made me happier. Then those nine pitches ruined me."
Matt was never given another chance to pitch this season, but did come close several times for a chance at redemption. Even through the tough times, Matt said he was happy to have to company of his friends and teammates for helping him. Like Josh Febus, he says, for always being his throwing partner.
But now, Matt is trying to look at things on the positive side and says that he's going to approach his senior season the same way. "[I'm] going to do the same stuff. I earned a spot." He was also able to share with me his offseason workout plans, saying, "Running every now and then. And some golf."
Matt also said that he plans on spending more time with his family over the summer and even take a vacation to Texas. He may be happy that the season's over, but just keep this in mind, Matt. It can't get any worse.
Click here for The Matt Hillman Story: Part Two.
Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment