143 Game: VS Lincoln High School 6 (1/2)

We took the field, did some warmup throws, and got set for Lincoln's offense again. Kyle stood on the mound, looking a little more comfortable than his first inning. He got batters seven and eight to fly out. Batter nine hit a double to left field. But it didn't turn into anything as the leadoff hitter grounded out to Chris at third base.

For the bottom of the second, we also failed to get anything started. Kelvin struck out looking. Chris hit a pop up to the first baseman. And Noah hit another fly ball, but to left field this time.

”I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.” He grumbled as he switched out his equipment.

I had to switch mine out too since I was in the on deck circle, waiting for my at bat that has now been put off to the third inning. ”You hit under the ball too much.”

He swung his head to me. ”You can tell?”

I let out a little laugh. ”If you hit the top part of the baseball, it would be impossible for you to hit the ball high in the air. You should probably choke up on the bat a little.”

Noah looked surprise. ”You've been talking more and now look. You're even giving out advice.”

I pulled my hat down and started to leave the dugout. ”You don't have to listen to me.”

”No, no I will. You're practically a hitting prodigy. You can foul off the ball as you please and hit it wherever you want. That's too insane. You know what you're talking about when it comes to hitting.”

The heat rushed to my face at the compliment. ”I don't know everything. Zeke is better.”

”Zeke IS the best. That's the correct phrase.” Noah laughed as we went to our positions.

I understood what he was saying. If I said I was good and Zeke was better, then that leaves room for argument that someone could even be better than him. But if you're the best, no one can get higher. And Zeke is the best in the county...but not in the state. It's scary to think that there are more players as good as him and even better. I shivered. Focus.

Kyle looked to be back to normal and didn't struggle with throwing strikes anymore. He got the second batter to pop out to Noah again. And then batters three and four grounded out to Noah as well. Noah wasn't flustered at all. He smoothly fielded and threw to Julian like this was any different than practice.

He flexed his skinny arm at me. ”That inning was alllllll me.”

I laughed.

”Way to be modest.” Kyle snorted as he joined us in the dugout.