170 Game: VS Santa Fe HS 3 (1/2)
Kyle took the mound for the third inning, and continued to show great control. Groundout to short. Single. A groundout right to Julian at first base. And then another groundout to Noah at shortstop.
The bottom of the third inning brought up the top of our lineup once again. I stared at Noah pointedly as I put my helmet on. ”'I'll be batting in front of you once the game gets going.'” I mocked his earlier words while raising an eyebrow.
Noah waved me off. ”My bad. Won't happen again.”
I tilted my head.
”Okay, okay. I'll make sure to get on base next time.”
I nodded, satisfied. Grabbing my wooden bat, I headed for home plate. After a peek at Zeke, who tapped his nose, I worked on getting my second walk of the day.
Previously it was Julian who popped out and then Mahki got a single. This time around, Julian was the one to get a single, moving me up to second. And Mahki was the one to fly out to right field. Zeke came up with one out, and two. Steady as always, he smacked another double to the outfield. I made it home, 3-0. Julian was held up at third and Zeke stood proudly at second as the crowd cheered like crazy. The hit streak continues.
Sean followed up with a walk. However, Kyle hit into a 6-4-3 double play, effectively ending the inning. *Reminder: 643 DP is a groundout to shortstop, who throws to the second baseman to get the runner at second base. Then the second baseman throws to first to get the hitter out.
To start off the fourth inning, Kyle came out hot, striking out the first guy with just three pitches. The next batter up was the cleanup hitter and he didn't disappoint his team. He hit a clean one between me and Julian, safely reaching first.
Kyle didn't let it get to him. He strictly focused on the next batter. He jammed him with a fast inside pitch, making the batter hit a weak grounder to the mound. Before I could respond, Kyle charged the ball, grabbed it bare-handed, turned 180 degrees and threw a fast one to Noah at second. Noah didn't miss a beat, had the ball and tagged the base, then threw his own fastball to Julian at first. A 1-6-3 double play.
I blinked in surprise. That was a well executed play starting with Kyle, the pitcher. I wasn't able to react at all. I didn't move to the ball or the base, nor did I backup any part of that play. My shoulders drooped with dissatisfaction. I could have done something. Anything. I should have.