Milton's Summerlin Picks Up Win In Return To Blue Wahoos Stadium

Milton High pitcher Caleb Summerlin scanned the expanse at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Monday evening as emotions tugged in a way only an unforgettable memory can trigger.
The last time he stepped foot on the playing field at the Wahoos ballpark, he was 12-years-old and fighting a brain tumor. A cheering crowd and flashing cameras lit the way as he ran the bases in a Home Run For Life, a mid-game event hosted by Sacred Heart to honor children battling serious illnesses.
"I remember tripping at first base," said Summerlin, smiling. "And then having my picture taken with Bubba Watson at home plate."
Last night, the crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium was cheering just as loud for Summerlin, but for a completely different reason. 
He was the winning pitcher in Milton's 4-3 victory over Escambia.
"The first time I came out to the field (Monday) it was like, 'Wow, I ran the bases here one time and everyone was looking at me… now I'm out here and everybody is looking at me again.' But this time I'm out on the mound."
On the mound and in command.
Summerlin, 16, allowed just three hits and five baserunners through the first five innings. The Panthers had built a 4-0 lead when he was lifted with one out in the sixth.
"He did a great job on the mound for us," said Milton coach George Blake, who learned after the game about the Home Run for Life moment. "He gave us quality innings. He went out there and threw strikes, didn't put people on base. For a sophomore going out there in atmosphere like this to go five and a third innings… that's huge."
The Panthers (3-5) provided Summerlin with run support by getting an RBI single from Nathan Weber and fielder's choice RBI from Trevor Lunsford in the third inning. Lunsford, the Panthers' sophomore catcher, drove in another run with an RBI single in the fifth. A pair of singles by Moree Favors and Peyton Brasher and a throwing error allowed an additional run to score in the fifth.
"That's what we have to do," Blake said. "We have to put pressure on the defense. We got some guys on and made some things happen. It makes it easier for the pitcher to go out there and throw when you've got the lead. And it makes it a little easier to go up there and swing at the plate."
Just as they were four years ago, Summerlin's parents and relatives led his support group on Monday.
Summerlin's father, David, arrived at Blue Wahoos Stadium nearly three hours before the game. He sat alone behind home plate, well before spectators arrived, as his son was going through pregame exercises with teammates.
"I thank God every day… every day," he said. "I almost cried how wonderful it is for Caleb to be able to do this. He just loves to pitch. He's played other positions, but he loves pitching. He's a good kid. We're just very thankful. The people at Sacred Heart were so nice to us. I have gotten calls from parents from all over with kids in a similar situation."
Blue Wahoos team owners Quint and Rishy Studer, along with Bubba and Angie Watson have been strong supporters of Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. Each season, the team hosts young patients from the hospital during several "Home Run for Life" moments, stopping Wahoos games during the fifth inning and having both team's players line the baselines to cheer the child circling the bases. 
The life-saving surgery performed at Sacred Heart to remove the tumor four years ago has enabled Summerlin to thrive in the sport he loves. He's currently eighth in the conference in strikeouts despite being just a sophomore and has appeared on the mound in all eight of Milton's games this year, something that seemed impossible just years ago.
When diagnosed, he feared he wouldn't be able to continue playing baseball. He remembers first getting seizures in fifth grade, one while playing youth baseball. That summer, medical staff at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital discovered the tumor and removed it.
"Since then, I have been seizure free," Summerlin said.
Monday night Summerlin's second win on the season and Milton's second appearance at the stadium in the annual Battle on the Bay series.
"Great atmosphere for these guys," Blake said. "The field is in great shape. It is just a lot bigger field than we're use to… so we have to work on things at practice. The wind out here is different than we get it our practice. But everything is great. The infield was perfect. These guys (Blue Wahoos groundskeepers) do a great job with the field. It was a big win for us."
A big night, too, for Summerlin.