Staff Writer
As his second home run of the night sailed into the outfield, senior Spencer Knoche saw his three years of work as team manager result in something greater than he could even imagine.
The varsity baseball team faced Leuzinger High School on April 19, and Knoche was given a uniform for the first time. In his three at-bats, Knoche struck out once and hit two home runs.
“When Coach [Cassidy] Olson first gave me a uniform, I was speechless,” Knoche said. “The first thing that came to mind was that my four years of hard work had finally paid off.”
Each year, Knoche had tried out for the baseball team and had gone home disappointed. In spite of this, he came to practice every day as a team manager with a smile on his face and a desire to learn and improve his skills.
“Knoche showed how much heart he has,” Olson said. “He has such a great attitude and works very hard.”
Knoche did not make the baseball team his freshman year; however, Olson admired his attitude and character and decided to keep Knoche on the team as the team’s manager.
“I kept coming back as manager because I love baseball,” Knoche said. “The guys on the team were also a big part of my returns. Each year the bond between the players and I grew stronger, which made it harder to quit.”
According to Knoche, his goal in his first at-bat was to make contact with the ball. When he did, he noticed the ball traveling toward left field. Knoche sprinted down the line hoping for a double. When he saw his coach at third waving him home, he knew the ball had gone out of the park. It lifted the Mustangs to a 10-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
“I was happy just to have hit the ball, let alone over the fence,” Knoche said. “I was in complete disbelief and shock.”
Knoche struck out in his second at-bat, but he did not let that get in the way of his third at-bat. Knoche hit his second home run of the game in his final at-bat, putting the Mustangs at an 18-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. The Mustangs won the game by a score of 20-1, crushing the Olympians in the league game.
“Once Knoche hit his second home run, the dugout went wild,” junior designated hitter Ryan Corral said. “Everyone was so proud of him and how hard he has worked to get here.”
Knoche’s hitting earned him an at-bat in the following game against Peninsula, but he went 0-for-1 in during the game. In Knoche’s four at-bats, he is averaging .500 and hopes to continue his high average.
“I am so glad that I stayed in the program,” Knoche said. “I am also just so honored to get the opportunity to play.”
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