Under Pressure by Karina

Under Pressure by Karina - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

Every human being experiences failure on common day to day basis. Failure is what makes us human, but man does it bite. After failing at something or failing someone the outcome is growth and wisdom. Our failures affect the people we are and will cause change in us. My most recent account of failure was recently when my team and I made it to the finals of our tournament.
It was September 12th at Papago Recreational Park at 6pm. We were the underdogs in this tournament. The opposing teams were surprised we made it this far. Our team dominated the undefeated team out of the semi-finals. Our white uniforms light up the field. I was the leading batter and I grounded out at second. From then on, I struggled to get on base for the rest of the game. My frustration boiled in my head and hands.
It was the top of the sixth inning with them up to bat. The score was 0-1. Gradually, we got two outs but they had a runner on 1st and 3rd base. Number seven was up to bat. Her heavy stature didn’t faze me; I told myself I had her, I believed that I had her. The crack of the bat went off, next thing I knew I was on a full on sprint o the ball. Arms pumping, eyes at the sky looking at my target; I had her in the palm of my hand. Then, the unthinkable happened. I dropped the ball, runners scored.
Seventh inning, we were up to bat, our final at bats. My two teammates before me both got out. The pressure to get on base was immense when it was my turn. I fouled two balls off with ease, and then three balls came in randomly. Finally, the pitch came and I swung like I never swung in my life. The ball ricocheted off my bat like a bullet. It went straight to the second basemen and she flinched at the ball but still made the play with all the luck in the world, she got me out. The game ended.
These failures in my game were exceptionally upsetting and valuable lessons. I tried holding back the tears, but the burden of letting my team down was the worse part of it. That night, I realized I couldn’t do it all. I was going to fail, even when I gave it my all. This experience definitely taught me the importance of team. This loss made me stronger and made me step up my mental and physical game, and to eliminate my hesitations, to just do it.