Sam Bachman is in enemy territory, and he knows it. The freshman pitcher warms up with his team in preparation to take on Mid-American Conference rival Kent State University. The tension builds in the air as time ticks down until Bachman throws his first pitch.

The young pitching ace knows the type of talent found on the KSU roster, but he is not phased by what appears on the lineup sheet. As Bachman steps on the mound at the bottom of the first inning, he closes his eyes for a brief moment and takes a deep breath. If there were ever a time for all the practice to pay off, it would be now. But the freshman is aware of the work he has put in. He's packed his bag to work today as he likes to put it.

Bachman opens his eyes. He twirls the ball in his hands and winds up to throw his first pitch, immediately locking into the heat of the game. The rest is a blur to him.

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