The sound of clapping hands rained down upon him as he strode to the plate. The noise was a distant echo as Sam Barth sought serenity in the clouds passing above.
For six innings, the Augusta State catcher pressed. In games before, he'd never been this nervous. As Barth prepared for his final at-bat, coach Skip Fite took him aside.
Take a deep breath, he said. Look into the sky. Relax.
Barth then stepped into the batter's box. Fite could feel history about to be made.
"You could of kind of see it in his eyes," Fite said. "I knew the old Sam was there."
Barth lined a 1-1 curve ball into left field, etching his name into the record books with the single. He extended his hitting streak to 47 games, setting a Division II record Wednesday in No. 11 Augusta State's 5-3 win over Paine at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
"I'm just thrilled to death," Barth said. "It's a great accomplishment. I would never have imagined an opportunity like this."
Earlier this season, Barth set the school record and then the Peach Belt Conference record. He then collected two hits Sunday against Lander to tie the national mark set by Lenoir-Rhyne's Craig Sizemore in 2002.
Barth now holds the third-longest run of any NCAA player. Damian Constantino of Division III Salve Regina College owns the longest streak at 60 games and is followed by Robin Ventura of Division I Oklahoma State (58).
"I'm not even thinking about that," Barth said. "If it ends (today), that's fine. I've ridden this horse about as far as it can go."
The horse appeared ready to buck him. In the first inning, Barth swung at the first pitch, a fastball from Paine starter Donald Skanes. He lined out to center field. In his second attempt in the third inning, Barth popped a first-pitch fastball out to second base.
"I was pressing," he said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous."
"It's probably the first time throughout this streak I've felt nervous," senior outfielder Brandon Sumlin said. "I just wanted to see my buddy get it."
Barth led off the bottom of the sixth. He fouled off a couple of pitches before working the count full. Barth took the 3-2 pitch high and inside for a walk.
"You were hoping he wouldn't (walk), but he's a team guy," Fite said. "Sam was going to do what it took to win."
Barth stole second and then scored on a David Beumel single. Augusta State led 3-0 before adding two more runs in the inning.
With the Jaguars holding a large lead, the 215 fans in attendance were pulling for Barth. His family and friends looked on as he sent relief pitcher Brandon Hall's pitch safely to left field.
The crowd gave a standing ovation. Paine's players stood and applauded the feat. Augusta State's bench erupted onto the field.
"Inside of me, I really wanted Sam to break the record," Lions coach Pete Cardenas said. "I told him don't stop there. Set the record so high nobody can break it."
Fite immediately pulled Barth for pinch runner Jeremy Armstrong. Barth ended the day 1-for-3.
After the game, senior second baseman Lee Rose sneaked up on Barth and shoved a shaving-cream pie in his face as he spoke to television reporters.
Despite the prank, Rose spoke of the significance of Barth's streak.
"It's a part of all of us," he said. "I can tell my kids about this one day."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
Aug. State10100300x-5120
Donald Skanes, Brandon Hall (7) and Terry Gordon. Bryan Sastre, Daniel Gwaltney (6), Steven Spragg (8), Cody Williams (9), Craig Arrington (9) and Sam Barth, Jeremy Armstrong (7). WP-Sastre (1-0). LP-Skanes (2-1). S-Arrington (3).
2B-Bennett Mayfield (A). 3B-Brandon Sumlin (A).Leading Hitters: Paine-John Kelsey 2-for-3, ... Augusta State-Mayfield 4-for-4, Sumlin 2-for-4, Rose 2-for-4, 2 RBI, Barth 1-for-3. Records: Paine (5-6); Augusta State (10-3). Next: Augusta State plays host to Anderson, 2:30 p.m., today; Benedict at Paine, Saturday (DH), noon.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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