PHOTO: Sam Travis' Bruised Home Run Ball

I had heard the hype.

Sam Travis, the star third baseman for Providence Catholic, is the state's player of the year. He blasted almost 20 home runs and averaged nearly two RBIs a game. And he was just drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.

So when I saw Travis play for the first time this season, an unfortunate 8-3 loss in the state championship, my expectations were high. He was going against ace Connor Cuff, who didn't lose a game the last two years.

Cuff got off to a great start, retiring the first two Providence batters. Then Travis came up and jacked this ball deep to the party deck in left field. Look how bruised that ball is! Someone at the game tracked down the home run ball.