444 Game @ Servite (4)

Top of the third, with a 1-0 lead, Kyle started us off. But in reality, he stood no chance against Sanchez. He struck out on three pitches and didn't even have the decency to look ashame as he walked back to the dugout. 

Noah rolled his eyes for me to see as I came out to stand in the circle and he moved for the batter's box. He was no longer wishing that Kyle did poorly, but I was starting to see how he can get annoyed with Kyle so easily. It's funny to think that Noah used to call him the 'nice' twin. I mean, he's not as physical and aggressive as Dave...but there's a small feeling, in my mind, that Dave cares more. 

Noah didn't live up to his bragging during his second at-bat. Sanchez threw every pitch in the zone and with speed. He definitely didn't want to give Noah a free pass to get on base again. Noah went down swinging; our second out of the inning already. 

With a sigh, I moved to the batter's box. I stayed with batting from the right, taking some extra time to even out the dirt. I think I may be a little ocd about this. I wonder if Dr. Moore could help me in this aspect. It's not like we have to talk about my family anymore. Soon enough, my family will be the Atkins family. 

Feeling high from that thought, I swung and connected on the first pitch Sanchez delivered, sending it to right field. I dropped my bat and sprinted to first base, making it safely as the right fielder threw the ball in. 

"That was quick." Coach Luis remarked. 

Embarrassed, I rubbed my nose and avoided eye contact. Coach Luis knew the routine: foul off pitches to tire out the pitcher. Luckily for me, he didn't pick at my sudden hit. He just clapped a few times for Garret, who was next up to bat. 

I took a small lead off the base, mostly just for show since I had no confidence to run against a left-handed pitcher. Sanchez was able to stare me down before peeking at his catcher for a sign, then glared in my direction before going through with his pitch. I shivered and scooted an inch or two or three back to the base. I'm not Noah. I can't steal bases. Best to play it safe. 

Garret got cornered into a 1-2 count, and made contact, putting the ball into play. At the sound of the bat connecting, I took off for second base. Unfortunately, Garret had hit a grounder to the shortstop. All the shortstop had to do was flip the ball to the second baseman for the easy out at second. 

I slowed up and eventually came to a complete stop. I sighed and headed back to the dugout. Noah passed me on his way out of the dugout and waved with his glove. I nodded. 

I switched out my gear and tried to catch up with my teammates that were already warming up again. 

"Jake. A moment." Coach held me back. 

I paused beside him at the dugout entrance/exit. "Yes?"

Coach looked down at me so we could make eye contact. "I won't pick on your batting. You do great almost every time you're up and I can't complain about your hit. I just want to take a second and ask about what happened afterwards."

I furrowed my eyebrows. What happened afterwards?

"About how much you stepped off the bag for your lead. Or your lack thereof." Coach crossed his arms over his chest. "You should take a minimum lead off the base of, at least, three feet." He untangled his arms to hold up three fingers to emphasize his point. "Do any less and I'll pull you."

I gulped. "I was...playing it safe..." I stuttered out. 

Coach shook his head. "No, you were playing scared." He sighed. "I let you get away with these little things, but they add up, Jake."

I fiddled with my glove. "Garret got to the shortstop anyways. No matter what, I'd be out and the inning would be over."

Coach narrowed his eyes. "That kind of thinking is dangerous, son." He opened his mouth to say more, but was cut off by a surprise appearance from James. James came jogging in from the bullpen, drawing attention from Coach, pushing me out of the danger zone. "Jake, go play." He patted my shoulder. 

I tugged on my baseball cap, thankful that's James saved me from a scolding. Coach seemed upset. It wouldn't be good if he pulled me so early. Especially for something so small. I jogged to my position before peeking back at our dugout. Coach and James were in a deep conversation, and then I saw Coach motion for Coach Luis and Mr. Miller to join them. Something must be going on. 

"Jake?" Noah called out, making me jump. 

I looked around and saw that the whole infield was looking at me, including Kyle up on the mound. I waved my hand a little to signal that I was ready before putting my attention on the batter. Inside, I was cursing myself for getting distracted so soon after a scolding. I don't need to invite anymore trouble my way. 

Kyle's pitching didn't look as sharp as it did in the first inning. Not that he was doing poorly; he was getting the pitches to land in the strike zone. The problem is that they were also being put into play. The first batter up was eighth in the order, and he hit a nice long fly to right field. It was high though so Mahki had the time to get under it and make the catch for the first out. 

Batter nine was Sanchez. The last time Kyle pitched against Servite, it was only the cleanup hitter that was abled to get a hit off of him. Not today though. Batter three had a double, and now, so did Sanchez. He rocketed one to the left field fence and reached second base quickly. That brought us back to the top of the lineup. 

Kyle got the first batter to groundout to Jason at third, which helped keep Sanchez at second. With two outs, the second batter in the lineup order sent one of the pitches back up the middle, catching Kyle off guard. I was scooted over though, playing closer to second base in order to keep Sanchez closer to the bag as well. I fielded the ball and threw to Julian at first to end the inning. 

"Good work!" Noah was the first to congratulate me as we jogged to our dugout. The rest of the guys sang similar tunes, but I wasn't feeling too proud. Coach's scolding was still fresh. 

I looked over to see what Coach and James was doing now, only to find that James was running back to the bullpen. Whatever he had said, apparently didn't need him to stay with us in the dugout. My curiosity was growing. I looked to see what Coach was doing and found that he had walked over to Zeke, who was preparing to lead us off this inning.