By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Baseball “rally caps” take many forms these days. In a run-rule decision that shortened the Boone Bigfoots vs. High Point-Thomasville HiToms baseball game to seven innings on Father’s Day, June 18, the 13-3 win by Boone perhaps found early momentum from an unusual source depending on your belief in supersitions.
As the Boone Bigfoots were coming to bat at the start of the fourth inning, the visitors led, 2-0 — but then nature called for reserve outfielder Walter Monday. As he entered the dugout restroom at the far end of the Bigfoots’ bench, teammate Nadir Lewis ripped a double off the top of the left-centerfield wall.
Just as Monday exited the restroom to ask what all the cheering was about, teammate J C Navarro was hit by a pitch, sending him to first base. Monday’s teammates in the dugout took a quick vote, deciding that the Transylvania University outfielder’s presence in the bathroom was the team’s equivalent of a rally cap, pushing him back into the facility and quickly closing the door.
And that was where he stayed for the duration of what evolved as a 4-run rally. It propelled the Bigfoots into the lead and gave their offensive production some needed momentum. Even when Monday deflected praise later, his teammates gave him all the credit.
Of course there were centerpieces to the Bigfoots’ offensive explosion besides Lewis’ double in the fourth inning, including Jalen Vasquez’ double down the right field line that scored the team’s first two runs (and delayed again Monday’s return from exile). “You have to stay there, Walt, until this is over.” That was the message generally agreed upon by his teammates.
And when Zach Weaver promptly launched a 2-run home run, the team’s superstitions were appropriately rewarded. By this time, Monday had shrugged off the superstitions, exited and refused to go back — and the rally suddenly ended. Just sayin’… maybe there was a connection.
Although the Bigfoots’ bats were silent in the bottom of the fifth inning, they caught fire again in the sixth and seventh innings, producing nine more runs. Meanwhile, three Boone pitchers combined to allow just three runs on five hits, the only real damage coming in the second inning with HiToms outfielder Kane Kepley rapping a 2-RBI single to left field.
Daniel Dewey (2-0) started on the mound for the Bigfoots and went five strong innings to pick up his second win of the season, giving up two runs on three hits, walking three and striking out five. Riley Bost pitched the sixth inning, giving up a run on two hits, walking two and striking out two HiToms batters. Jackson Kirkpatrick earned the save by pitching the seventh inning, facing five batters while walking two, striking out two, and allowing no runs or hits.
KEY PERFORMERS
- BIG – Zach Weaver: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 6 RBIs, 2 HRs
- BIG – Nadir Lewis: 4-5, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2B, 3B
- BIG – Jalen Vasquez: 1-2, 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 2B
- BIG – J C Navarro: 1-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, hit by pitch
- BIG – Brayden Simpson: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI
- HPT – Kane Kepley: 1-2, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, SB
- HPT – Josh Caron: 1-3, 1 run scored
- HPT – Jake Koonin: 1-3, 1 run scored
BONUS PHOTOS
