See you soon (09 June 2007).

The Chelsea baseball team stands along the third base line during the national anthem prior to Saturday’s regional playoff games.

In the first game, Chelsea defeated Melvindale, 14-0; in the second game, Chelsea faced familiar SEC foe Tecumseh. In a fast-moving defensive game, Tecumseh held a 1-0 lead after six innings. Then, in the top of the seventh inning, Chelsea loaded the bases with no outs, and senior first baseman Zach Leszczynski — playing through a hand injury suffered in last Saturday’s district final — stepped up to the plate.

To the delight of the Chelsea dugout, Leszczynski sent the ball sailing deep into left centerfield. It seemed that he would notch a sacrifice fly to tie the score, but that was not the case; the ball carried just beyond the outstretched glove of the Tecumseh outfielder and dropped in at the fence, giving Leszczynski not just a double, but also the two most important RBI of the season so far.

With no outs and runners on second and third — and, for the first time in the game, the lead — Chelsea coach Wayne Welton decided to bring a pinch runner. As Leszczynski came off the field, he released the frustration and anxiety he’d accumulated through the first six innings.

Let me tell you how I feel (09 June 2007).

Despite the promising situation, Chelsea was unable to score another run, leaving them a very thin 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning. But the defense stood firm, and after three quick outs — including two tough catches by senior right fielder Travis Amburgey — Chelsea claimed a regional trophy that, only a few minutes earlier, seemed an unlikely prize.

Come on, get happy (again) (09 June 2007).

Four down, three to go (09 June 2007).

For the second year in a row, Chelsea is headed to the state quarterfinals. The opponent is Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; the game is Tuesday (12 June) at Livonia Ladywood at 4:00.