Catching Up with The Johnsons: Zach's MC Baseball Career Comes to an End

We went to Kearns to play our third state tournament game on Tuesday. We played against Skyline and Zach was on the mound. We were all nervous and excited at the same time. Mom and Dad came down too, but we left Brynn at home for soccer practice. Zach pitched a great game, but Skyline had our number and was really hitting the ball. We only had two hits in the game. We lost 5-1. It was a tough loss. Zach took it hard. That loss put us down in the losers bracket where we still had lots of games we could play. We headed back down to Kearns again on Wednesday and played Maple Mountain at 2:00. This time Ben Weese was on the mound. Zach played right field. We won that game 7-6. With that win, that meant we got to play another game at 8:00 pm. We played Timpanogos, the winner of the second game of the day. We started Justin Petersen on the mound. After they were hitting him pretty good, they put in McKay Smith, a Sophomore. He did okay and then they put in Zach!! He didn't even have 24 hours rest--he was ready to throw! I wasn't even nervous this time. We were down 8-2, then 8-5 and Zach held them there. We got some runs and tied it up--8-8. It was such an exciting game. I had to get up and walk around that last inning though! Zach was pitching, we had two outs and a tie ball game. There were runners on 1st and 2nd.....and then a blooper was hit to left field right where no one was and a run scored....dang. We got the third out and then our chance to answer back....we just didn't answer back. We lost 9-8. It was tough--lots of tears. I was so proud of Zach though, he battled and he battled hard. You could see the confidence and determination on his face. It was a proud mom moment for me. He put it all out there for his guys and gave it all he had. It was better to lose that way, than go down 8-2 and no fight back. After the game, the Seniors took some time hugging, crying and soaking in their last time on the field as a Mustang. We are all so sad that the ride is over. I never thought it would be this hard. We will miss going to watch Zach play ball. Thankfully, we still have three more years of ball with Tanner and I'll be better prepared for what will come after his final game. Way to go, Zach and the Mustangs. Region 5 Champs and 4th in State is not too shabby! Way to get out there every game and give it your all! We love you guys!