‘A dream come true for me’
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 01:18 p.m., March 20, 2008
Updated 01:18 p.m., March 20, 2008
Jordan Fithian said he hadn’t played baseball since sixth grade.
He might not play again after Wednesday.
The Emporia State basketball player now has the opportunity to retire from the sport on top, as he picked up a hit in his first collegiate at-bat in ESU’s 27-10 victory over Newman at Trusler.
“It’s something that’s a dream come true for me,” Fithian said with a smile.
It came somewhat unexpectedly as well.
After spending the first half of the game enjoying the atmosphere with friends past the centerfield wall, Fithian was called into the dugout by ESU coach Bob Fornelli.
After getting dressed — putting Richard Timbrook’s No. 25 jersey and also some eyeblack to look the part — Fithian pinch hit with one out in the sixth.
With knees flexed, rear sticking out, bat twirling above his head, Fithian watched a first-pitch strike.
“When they threw the first changeup to him, I said, ‘If they do that again, he’s going to swing,’” Fornelli said.
After a pitch in the dirt, Fithian received another changeup.
“The third one came down the middle,” Fithian said. “She looked good.”
Fithian knew what to do from there.
The ESU forward, who’d only taken batting practice with the team twice, threw his arms and his weight at the pitch.
The result was unexpected: A lined shot that flew past diving second baseman Tyler Riddick for a single to centerfield.
“I believe it was a changeup, because anything faster than that, I’m not sure I had a chance at,” Fithian said. “ ... I was shocked it went through. I was shocked to be standing on first base.”
The adventures weren’t finished for Fithian.
After getting to first — “They said I had the red light. With my speed, that’s a little surprising,” Fithian deadpanned — the senior was moved to second on a single by Caleb Williamson.
Fithian then used all his energy to make it home on a double by Brian Majors to left-center.
“Running the bases, it’s exhilarating,” Fithian said. “My heart’s still pumping.”
Fithian actually had one more chance at the plate, receiving a second at-bat in the same inning.
After getting three straight curveballs, he struck out swinging.
Fithian still was able to earn some admiration from his teammates.
“I was impressed,” ESU senior Eric Shortell said. “It was just funny seeing him up there, 6-5, just not knowing what he was doing. But he got a hold of it. He got his pitch, and he wasn’t scared.”
Fithian’s at-bat was the completion of a trade made in November between Fornelli and ESU basketball coach David Moe.
On Nov. 19, ESU pitcher Ty Reese suited up for the men’s basketball team and played in the final minutes of the team’s game against Friends.
He went 0-for-3 from the floor, and the deal was that if Reese played, then Fithian would later suit up in a baseball game.
ESU’s offensive fireworks once again were on display Wednesday.
The Hornets scored 27 runs on 28 hits in just six innings of at-bats.
After putting up eight runs in the first, ESU had at least four runs in each of its final four innings.
Shortell, Kevin Wempe and Nick Wolfe all had home runs for ESU, while Majors went 4-for-4 with six RBI and four runs scored.
Kellen Lane added a 3-for-3 performance with four runs scored, and Shortell chipped in four hits, four runs and four RBI.
ESU (17-3) will travel to Missouri Western on Friday.
The Hornets, however, will make the trip without Fithian, their star pinch-hitter.
He still seemed happy with the one opportunity he received.
“It was something I’ve never felt like before,” Fithian said. “It was a lot of fun.”
ESU 27, Newman 10, 7 innings
Wednesday at Trusler
Newman 004 302 1 — 10 14 3
No. 15 ESU 806 445 X — 27 28 1
W — Soto. L — Clerici.
E — NU: Wooten, Bonebrake 2; ESU: Anderson. DP — ESU 2. LOB — NU 8, ESU 9. 2B — NU: Scripture; ESU: Majors 2, Hernandez. HR — NU: Scripture; ESU: Shortell, Wempe, Wolfe. HBP — ESU: Hernandez, Steinbach, Marasco, Augustyn. SF — ESU: Majors. SB — ESU: Lane, Majors, Carlson 2.