350 Game: @ Etna H.S. 5 (2/2)

If I had just gotten that previous ground ball, it would have only been a solo homerun. I kicked the dirt in frustration. I then looked to the mound to see how Kyle was taking it. His shoulders weren't sagging like mine. He just stood tall as Alex came up to the mound.

I looked to Noah to see if we should go up as well. He shook his head so I stayed in position, just watching them exchange some words behind gloves. Kyle then patted the catcher on the shoulder and they separated.

Alex squatted behind home plate and the cleanup batter stepped up. This time, Kyle took a different approach. He aimed all of his pitches to outside the strike zone, getting the batter to swing and miss three in a row! Nice comeback!

”Keep it up!” Noah called out. ”Two outs! One to go! Play at first!”

I clapped my glove too.

Batter number five didnt chase those outside pitches and let the first two pass by for balls and a favorable 2-0 count. Kyle did an inside pitch, still in the strike zone. He swung and fouled it down the third baseline. The following pitch was closer to center, and the batter made a better connection, sending a fly ball to center field. Zeke was there though and he had no trouble run in, making the catch, and then jogging straight in.

I hurried to the dugout too.

Surprisingly, the dugout wasn't all 'gloom and doom.' Everyone seemed to maintain positive attitudes as we got ready to go on offense.

”We need some runs!” Kyle called out when he got in.

”It helps that you're not batting this inning.” Dave laughed.

”What'd you say?!” Kyle made out like he was going to slap him.

But Zeke was faster. He slapped Kyle's hand down as he made it in time. ”Focus on the game. Unless you want to be pulled off that mound.”

Kyle pouted as he rubbed the slapped hand. ”That's not fair. He was making fun of me.”

Zeke stared him down. ”How old are you? How can words like that hurt?” He paused. ”Especially when they're the truth.” He walked away to his bag.

Kyle's jaw dropped. ”The injustice! I'm pitching my heart and soul out there and you're all mocking my batting??”

Noah rolled his eyes as Kyle rambled on. ”Ignore him. Such an ego, I swear.”

I laughed a little as I put my helmet on and sat down.