197 Game Two: Durham Preparatory 10 (1/2)

As I left the dugout, I noticed the pitcher change immediately. He wasn't very tall, but his speed was impressively hanging around the low 80s just for a warmup.

”He doesn't have any breaking pitches.” Zeke said from behind me, also ready for his at bat. ”He could possibly reach 90mph, but it depends on his condition. I want you to get hit off the first pitch, if you can.”

I nodded. ”As long as it's in the strike zone, I can do it.”

Zeke patted my shoulder. ”Good. I'm counting on you.”

I was stunned. As the umpire called for me to step up to the plate, I moved mechanically since Zeke's words were still sinking in. He's counting on me? Counting on me. On me.

A smile took over my face as I got in the lefty's box to face the new pitcher. He wasn't anywhere near as tall or scary as the pitcher's on my own team. Why can't we score a few runs off him? The first pitch came, a little outside, but it was still within reach. I extended my arms and swung my bat, connecting with the ball and sent it to the opposite side aka the left field. I dropped my bat and took off.

I was able to make it to second base without needing to slide. I clenched my fists in excitement. Good start. I looked to the pitcher and found him glaring at me. I nervously looked away as fast as possible.

After waiting a few seconds, I slowly turned to look and found him already facing down Zeke. The catcher stayed in his squatting position, indicating they wouldn't do another intentional walk. I guess they think that they have enough of a lead to be able to face him head on.

I'm okay with them coming to that conclusion. Especially since we need quite a few runs. Zeke didn't disappoint. He also crushed the first pitch like me, but unlike mine, his went clear over the center field fence without any hope of being caught. I ran around the bases, happy to cut the lead down 9-5. Four more to tie, five more for the win.

We both returned to the dugout and received a few compliments, but everyone's main focus was the batters box. We still had a long way to go. It's not like everyone else could hit home runs on demand like Zeke.

Garret was up next. He didn't copy us on swinging at the first pitch, and instead took as many pitches possible, before finding one he liked and sending it past the infield. He easily earned a single. Mahki, who had been struggling all day, copied him and also earned a single. Garret was fast enough to reach third, sliding in to avoid the tag. Great. Two on, no outs.

James was supposed to be up next, but coach replaced him with another pinch hitter: Tony. Tony couldn't come up with anything and ended up striking out, which isn't as bad as a double play I guess.

Sean came up to bat, and stepped into the righty's box. I guess he wasn't going to try a bunt when that would give them a chance for the double play. Sean didn't play mind games with the pitcher: i.e. swinging on the first pitch, like me and Zeke,or taking a whole ton of pitches, like Garret and Mahki. He settled on a 2-1 pitch, that could have possibly been called a ball. But he swung and sent it to right field. This time there was no super catch like last inning, the ball dropped and the runners advanced. Sean was safe at first, Mahki made it to third, and Garret scored to make the score 9-6.

Kelvin moved to the batter's box and Julian went to the on deck circle.

Noah grinned at me as he grabbed his bat. ”It's happening! The momentum is with us! Get your helmet on too!” He left to go stand in the hole.

I did what I was told, put on my helmet, and I held my bat in my lap. My bat was extremely dirty and I could feel a few small dents in it as I ran my hands over the wood. I barely had it for a month, but it felt like a prized possession now. It was one of the few personal items I could actually call mine.

The 'ding' of a bat made me look up. Kelvin had hit a high fly to left field. The left fielder got under it and caught for out two, but was slow to throw it back to the infield, allowing Mahki to tag up and score. Kelvin's sacrifice fly made the score 9-7, with two outs.

Julian was up next, with Sean still on first. Any kind of fly ball could be an out, or any infield grounder too. I slowly moved to the edge of the dugout, feeling a little lightheaded.

A familiar heavy hand landed on my shoulder. ”Don't think so much.” Zeke said, helmet on and bat in hand. ”Like Noah said, it's three runs to go. Not one more out until we lose.”

I smiled, thinking it was weird for Zeke to quote Noah when it's usually the other way around.