If the baseball gods are real, they would surely abide by karma — and, therefore, would have played a major part in a hilarious moment during this past weekend's college baseball slate.
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The moment arrived during the seventh inning of a game Friday night between Austin Peay and Auburn. Auburn pitcher John Armstrong tried to quick-pitch Austin Peay outfielder Lyle Miller-Green with a fastball — which Miller-Green absolutely crushed off the top of Auburn's scoreboard to tie the game.
It's already a part of the Governors' legend and lore. @lmg1332's solo blast from Friday's outing at Auburn.
115 mph off the bat, 454 feet to left-center field.
A thing of beauty. #LetsGoPeay | #⃣🅱️🅰️🆖@d1baseball | @NCAABaseball | @11point7 pic.twitter.com/zf2Wnhjtsr
— Austin Peay Baseball (@GovsBSB) March 9, 2024
Miller-Green's home run clocked in at 115 mph off the bat, and it traveled 454 feet to left-center field before nearly clearing the scoreboard.
While quick-pitching technically isn't illegal in baseball, it's commonly considered a violation of the sport's unwritten rules, since it's a cheap way to steal a strike on an unsuspecting hitter.
Although the tactic might seem beneficial to the pitcher, those who don't constantly practice quick-pitching have a hard time attuning their natural arm rhythm to the hastened delivery — which can cause them to miss their desired location.
We don't know how often Armstrong practices his own quick-pitch. Yet, seeing his 88 mph fastball being sent straight down the strike zone's middle, right into Miller-Green's barrel, would suggest that perhaps it wasn't his wisest move.
The solo home run was ultimately inconsequential for Auburn, as it added a run apiece in the eighth and ninth innings to defeat Austin Peay 7-6.
As for Miller-Green, the behemoth home run was his eighth of the season — giving him 23 RBIs, a .345 batting average, and a whopping .855 slugging percentage on the season.
Apart from conceding that home run, Auburn's Armstrong has been excellent on the season as well. He has pitched to the tune of a 1.69 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
Perhaps this can serve as a lesson to all young pitchers: If you want the baseball gods on your side, don't resort to quick-pitching.
Or if you do, at least practice it enough to still hit your location.
