"For now, our game has been canceled while we await the decision of the NCAA. We will either automatically move onto the Super Regionals, or be forced to play against Wright State." He stated.
"Until then, you guys are free the rest of the day." Coach Brown finished.
Suddenly being told there was no longer a game, the team were at a loss. Some decided to go have some lunch while they were at the hotel and others retreated to their rooms.
Ken, Brian, Steve and a few others went to the hotel restaurant and ordered some food. Out of everyone, Ken was the only one who knew that they had already qualified for the Super Regionals thanks to the system.
Of course he couldn't reveal this information, but at least he had peace of mind. Out of everyone present, he was the most relaxed.
"Man, coach was pissed. You should have seen him at the game, it looked like he wanted to jump from the stands and give out lectures to all the players." Steve said, breaking the silence.
"Does anyone know why he was so triggered by this?" Ken asked. It was one thing having a distaste, but the coach seemed truly upset by the fight.
"I think it has to do with his son." This time it was Ayden who answered.
"Hmm?"
Apart from Kaden who already knew the answer and was wearing a morose expression, Ken, Brian and Steve were sending him questioning looks.
"The coach's son used to play baseball growing up, but he was knocked out by a sucker punch by an opposing player." Ayden said with a heavy tone.
"What happened to him?"
"Well… Originally he was fine after regaining consciousness, but things got progressively worse. He started having seizures and was diagnosed with TBI… Traumatic Brain Injury."
"Holy crap…"
Everyone was quiet as the words sunk in. Ken could not imagine the pain that he man must have gone through seeing his own son reduced to such a state because of something out of his control.
It suddenly made sense why the coach was so against what had happened today, especially since he had been the victim of a similar circumstance, though with far worse consequences.
"What happened to the guy that did it?"
"I think he was charged with battery and banned from playing in organized baseball for life. But it still doesn't change the fact that the coach's son's whole life has now been affected."
The statement was true and no one could refute it.
They all sat in silence, eating their meals. Only a few hours later did news of the NCAA's verdict get passed onto the Columbia coaching staff. The Bobcats would advance to the Super Regionals after the forfeiture of both Virginia Tech and Gonzaga university.
The brawl sent the media into a frenzy, appearing on national news and severely impacting the reputations of both schools. While the sanctions would be harsh from the NCAA, the schools would also likely come down on the players involved with an iron fist.
The team were flying out the following day, but now that they were free, Ken decided he wanted to watch his father's team play on TV. Only Steve decided to join him, with Brian wanting to meet with his new crush once again.
Ken and Steve didn't tease him, wishing him good fortune before retreating to their room to watch the game.
It was the final game in Austin with the Texas Shorthorns against the Air Force Academy Hawks. The winner of this match would advance to the Super Regionals.
But it was soon clear who would be coming out on top.
In the very first inning, Texas managed to score 5 runs, putting the Hawks in a precarious position. From there, the superb pitching of their starting pitcher Xavier Coates had kept the team scoreless until the 7th while his team continued racking up runs.
By the time the final inning arrived, the Hawks scored a single consolatory home run before being struck out and ending the game.
The team was both explosive, yet disciplined throughout the game. By the end of the match, both Ken and Steve were wearing serious expressions.
"They are a good team…" Steve stated.
"Of course, remember who the assistant coach is?" Ken said with some humor. Of course this was just a joke. The shorthorns had a deep pitching rotation and some solid batters, it was no surprise that they had gotten this far.
"I wonder if we will meet them in the College World Series?"
"It's certainly possible. Though we'd both need to win in the Super Regionals and be assigned the same bracket afterwards." Ken replied. He had not thought about playing against his father's team, but the possibility made him feel motivated.
The last time his father had been present at his game was in the State Championship in his final year at High School. But before that it was in the U18 World Cup as the assistant coach.
Ken wouldn't mind showing the guy how much he had improved.
With this in mind, he felt an extra bout of determination. He got off the bed and stretched, "I'm gonna go for a run, you coming?" He asked.
"Sure, but give me some time to plan our route. I'm sick of getting lost every time we run in a new city." Steve replied with some annoyance.
"Suit yourself." Ken said, letting out a small chuckle.
He quite enjoyed running without a destination in mind, it helped clear his head. But he had to admit, it sure saved some time having his friend navigate for him.
"You think Brian is still out on his date?"
"Maybe… Why?" Ken asked suspiciously.
"Hehe, maybe we should check in on him while we're out." Steve added with a mischievous smile.
"You mean spy on him? Absolutely not. I've been on the receiving end of stalkers before, I won't subject him to that." Ken replied emphatically.
"Okay okay, damn." However, his smile did not leave his face as he plotted out their route.
'It won't be stalking if we accidentally come across him.' He thought with a silent laugh.