314 Game: VS OLU 2 (2/2)

”Ten seconds.” The umpire came from home plate to break up the meeting.

”Everyone needs to get back to their spot.” Kelvin spoke with authority as the only senior in the infield at the moment. ”Stay calm. It's only the first inning. What are all of you worried for? We haven't even got our turn to bat yet. Are you trying to tell me that you don't think the best player in the county will score or drive in a run?”

All of us turned to look at Zeke in the outfield. He stood tall; with his hands on both hips, he looked intimidating even though he was far away.

Noah clapped his glove a few times as he backed up to his spot. ”Let's go!”

The rest of us followed along and went back to our appropriate positions. Theo faced Kelvin and the batter, while the runners started to step off their bags.

Kelvin gave out the signs. I blinked, then rubbed my eye as if I was unsure of what I had seen. Kelvin had signed for a check throw to second after a high fastball. I didn't have to learn very many signs so it threw me off, seeing one that I had recognized. I desperately wanted to look over at Noah, but I was afraid I would give it away so I stayed steady.

Theo did a quick set up and motion, then threw his fastest to Kelvin. Kelvin was already crouching up, caught the ball, then threw a bullet to Noah, who was waiting at second base. He caught the ball just in time as the runner reacted. The runner tried to slide back, head first, but Noah got the tag on him.

”Out!” The second base umpire called.

The play wasn't dead yet. Noah immediately threw back to home plate where Kelvin was covering. The runner on third had tried to go, but was quick to retreat safely back to third in order to not get tagged out as well.

This time it was our dugouts turn to holler out and get rowdy. So what if you got a hit? We could still get you out.

After such an emotional, and thrilling tag out, it was a let down to see Theo end up walking the third batter. He was still all over the place except the strike zone. With the cleanup hitter inning to bat, I was getting nervous.

”Let him hit it!” Noah yelled the opposite of what I was thinking. ”Bring it on!”

Theo sent a glance back to Noah, then focused back on the batter. His first two pitches were outside, but they were getting closer to where they needed to be. Even though Kelvin was signing for the pitch, I knew it couldn't be perfect. Otherwise, every high school pitcher would be drafted right away. Theo could only get it as close as he could with the proper pitch type and speed demanded of him.

The third pitch was a called strike, making Theo relax his shoulders a little. The fourth pitch would also be in the strike zone if it wasn't sent to shallow right field. I tried tracking back for it, but was quickly called off by Sean. Sean caught the fly ball for the second out, then quickly threw the ball at Kelvin at home plate. The runner on third once again rushed back to his base, no longer trying to tag up on the fly.

”Two outs! One to go!” Sean held up two fingers, walking back to his spot.

I heard some of the other guys on the field repeat it as I jogged back to my spot.

The fifth batter of the inning was apparently 'swing-happy' after seeing some of his teammates making good contact on the ball. So he came out swinging at anything close...and not so close. His third and final strike was him swinging at a curve low and away, practically in the dirt.

”Strike out!” The home plate ump announced and conducted the motion.

Time for us to be on the offensive. As a team, we rushed back to the dugout, eager to get some runs on the board. I wanted to score to cover up my throwing error. Noah wanted to score to give some comfort to Theo while he's on the mound. Zeke wanted to score so we could win.