114 Game Three: San Marino 9

After the pitcher was able to throw some off the mound to the catcher, Julian stepped up to the plate, ready to go. The new pitcher must have been a senior, because he had a better temperament and wasn't in any hurry. Even though they were down by six runs, the pitcher stayed collected. He was able to put Julian in a tough spot with a 1-2 count, (one ball, two strikes), getting him to swing on a pitch that came inside. Julian's connection went straight to the third baseman, who threw to the catcher at home, who then tagged the plate, then threw to the first baseman. A 5-2-3 double play to end the fourth inning.

I jogged back to the dugout to switch my gear. Noah stared at me the whole time I stood by my bag. After I put my hat on, he reached out for me, but I sidestepped.

"Jake." He whined. "Stop ignoring me."

I brushed him off and went back on the field. I wasn't sure how to face Noah just yet, so I went back to default and treated him like everyone else. Wary of any actions he might take.

Dave got back on the mound to start the fifth inning. Even though he was hit by a pitch at his at-bat, he was on fire on the mound. He struck out batters five, six and seven like they were little leaguers. He strutted back to the dugout like he was a king.

"Dave you're out." Coach said once we got back to the dugout. "Get a jacket on and do a proper cook down."

The king deflated and turned into a peasant pleading for leniency. "But coach...I'm pitching a shutout."

Zeke came in from the outfield just at that moment. He slapped the back of Dave's head. "Don't talk back. Get a jacket on. Coach says you're done."

I started to ease away to get away from this argument.

"But I'm doing so well." Dave pouted as he rubbed his head.

"We're up by six. Your pitch count is under 50 so you'll be eligible to pitch on Wednesday. Do you want to start the season opener or not?" Coach asked impatiently.

Dave perked up right away. "I'll go get my jacket on!" He hopped about the dugout excitedly.

I moved to sit near my bag, but then realized Noah was still there. He opened his mouth, but I turned away and sat alone at the end of the dugout to watch our team go on the offensive.

Sean, Chris, and Kelvin were due up in the bottom of the fifth. Sean grounded out to third. Chris got a stand-up double. Kelvin continued to struggle at the plate, and struck out swinging. Coach sent Bryce to pinch hit for Dave, but he ended up flying out to left field. Three outs.

As we took the field for the top of the sixth, coach replaced Bryce with our new pitcher on the mound, Tyler. Tyler got the first guy up to fly out to Zeke in center field.

The next batter he faced should have been the pitcher, but they already pulled that kid to put in a pinch hitter of their own. They had put in a lefty, an uncommon sight so far in this tournament. The only ones I knew that could bat left was me and Sean. This guy wasn't as good as us, but on a 2-2 count, the edge of his bat connected with the ball and sent it down the third baseline.

Chris went to field the ball, Daniel headed his way to back up the play, and I covered second base. Chris snatched up the grounder, grabbed the ball out of his glove, then threw it towards Julian. For some reason his throw looked hurried and it went just wide of Julian's reach, letting the batter safely reach first.

The San Marino bench went crazy with their cheers as our team turned stiff. An error. The teams first official error. Chris kicked at the dirt and cursed. Daniel and I slowly drifted back to our spots, preparing for the next batter, the leadoff man.

Tyler was frowning up on the mound, but didn't say anything. Neither did Chris. Tyler threw pitches all over to batter number one, allowing him to walk. He was able to throw strikes to the next batter, but that only made things worse when the guy sent one to the gap.

Mahki beat Zeke to it, and threw it in to Daniel and Daniel immediately threw to Kelvin at home plate. But it was pointless. The man from second was able to score. The runner from first stopped at second and the batter was safe at first. 6-1...we lost the shutout.

"Don't mind! One out!" Kelvin hollered as he gave Tyler the ball back.

Tyler toed the rubber with a little more force than necessary. He then faced batter number three in the lineup, who previously had a fly out and a strikeout. The batter was a first pitcher swinger, and hit something that could have been a ball. It bounced my way with speed. I collected the ball and lightly tossed it to Daniel on second. He stepped on the bag, then threw to Julian, beating out the runner. A 4-6-3 double play.

"Nice Bambi!" Daniel came over and patted my back. "That was some quick thinking! You didn't look like a rookie at all!" He guided me back to the dugout.

I let out a little smile. That fielding was pretty good for me. And it felt good to just rely on my reflexes and know to throw to second so we could attempt the double play.