A magic moment well earned

The score was tied 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning.
George Mason University was hosting VCU in a big Colonial Athletic Association baseball game - big at least for Mason, which had already lost to VCU on Friday and was in need of a victory to keep its post-season playoff hopes alive.
Up to the plate stepped Dan Lyons, who'd gotten an all-too rare start this sunny Saturday afternoon.
Dan, always a above average defensive catcher, was already having a pretty good game, having blooped an RBI single to right to give Mason a 4-2 lead at the time and having thrown out a runner at second.
But a throw on another steal attempt in the top of the sixth had hit the runner and ended up in center field while a run scored -- an occupational hazard for a catcher throwing to second base.
So now, with the score tied, Dan came up with one out and nobody on.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, he timed a fastball perfectly and drove the ball hard and long to left field.
It was going to be an extra base hit. But might it clear the fence for a home run?
"Get out, get out" I shouted, as if the ball was open to direction.
The outfielder turned, hoping for a play. He looked -- but didn't even jump.
It was gone. Dan had slugged his first college baseball home run.
Later, Dan would say he knew it was gone, but he'd run hard out of the batters box because he didn't want it to "look like" he thought it was gone.
By the time he neared second base, though, it was outta here and he slowed down to a home run trot he'd last used in serious competition at Mount Olive (N.J.) High School.
He clearly hadn't forgotten how to do it.
The Mason dugout emptied and approached home plate, A happy sequence of high fives and fist pounds ensued.
In the stands behind home plate, there were additional high fives between Mary and me, as well with surrounding parents who knew that it was a special moment.
"That's Dan Lyons' first career home run for George Mason," the PA announcer said loud and clear.
Yeah, we already knew that.
What a great moment! Nearing the end of his first season at Mason after two disappointing ones at The College of New Jersey, Dan had done very well in a back-up role, hitting over .300 and playing solid defense whenever given the opportunity.
An injury now has given him this unexpected start, and this was how he had responded.
Unfortunately, that 6-5 lead didn't hold up in the end, so the go-ahead home run didn't have the kind of impact we and fans of storybook ending would have preferred.
But it was a moment Dan, Mary and me will have forever.
Sweet!
Later.