Montezuma baseball fan catches College World Series home run

MONTEZUMA — Montezuma’s Coyce McNaul brought home more than a memory last week from the College World Series in Omaha.

Coyce, who will soon be 12, was at the game between Tennessee and Florida State Wednesday, June 19, with his grandparents.

It was the top of the ninth inning, and Tennessee Volunteer first baseman Blake Burke hit a home run that landed in Coyce’s glove in the stands.

The big catch was caught on television, and Coyce’s mom, Mindy, was watching from home in Montezuma.

“I was watching the game and saw the catch and thought, wow, that looks like Coyce, not really thinking it was,” she said. “I went to back up the game as Coyce called and told me he caught a home run in the stands. I was jumping up and down screaming and crying.”

Coyce said he couldn’t believe what had just happened when he caught the ball.

“When I saw the ball, it was coming down in slow motion,” said Coyce, who held his baseball glove in the air. “I had a big grin when it happened.”

After catching the home run, Blake’s dad, Scott, found Coyce in the stands and invited him to meet Blake at the team bus after the game to get the ball autographed.

Tennessee won the game, 7-2, advancing the Volunteers to the CWS championship series against Texas A&M.

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The home run was the 20th this year for Blake and his 98th career home run. Blake, a California native, is a junior this year at Tennessee. He plans to return for his senior season.

Attending the game was a gift from Coyce’s grandparents, Jim and Bev Smothers, who take all their grandchildren on a one or two day trip of their choice when they turn 12.

Even though Coyce isn’t quite 12, he wanted to go to the College World Series, and his grandparents made it happen.

“The experience with Coyce catching the home run was surreal,” said Bev. “It was wonderful to see his excitement when the ball was in his glove. It was an experience of a lifetime we will not forget.”

Coyce, who has been playing baseball since he was five, said the game is his favorite sport. And this year, Coyce’s Montezuma Major Little League team won the league championship.

Coyce plans to buy a case for the signed baseball and put it his room.