374 Game: @ Redwood HS 1 (2/2)

”Of course!” Garret straightened his posture, and didn't turn around. His eyes were trained on the mound, just waiting for the pitcher to get up there. ”Solely focused on the pitcher coming up. Any second now.”

”What a liar.” Noah snorted. He turned to tell Zeke. ”He was busy taking shots at me, because Jake is batting better than me. Beat him up, Zeke.”

Zeke just shook his head. ”Save these conversations for anywhere else but the dugout. How about you get out there and start swinging that bat?”

”Yes!” Noah bolted out.

Zeke glanced at me. ”And where are you supposed to be?”

I gripped my bat tighter and ran out as well.

Noah and I stood a few feet apart, practicing our swings. It only had been a few seconds before the announcer started to introduce the home team. Like us, they had a nice broadcast system setup and they also had quite a few fans. It was after school so a few students, teachers, and parents were able to make it.

On the visitors side, I saw a few parents, including Mrs. Atkins. They had told us this morning that only she would come as Mr. Atkins had work to do. The boys weren't bothered by it so neither was I.

”Jake.” Noah hissed. ”Pay attention. I don't want Zeke to get mad at us again.”Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

I raised an eyebrow. Zeke was only mad at him and Garret. Not me. Guess I'll let it slide. I moved my eyes to the pitcher on the mound. Like Coach predicted, it was a different pitcher. It was easy to tell...not that I remembered the last pitcher, but just because this guy was a lefty. We don't face left-handed pitchers very often. I wonder if he's as good as Garret..?

The umpire for the game called for the two minute warmup to end and for Noah to step up. Noah left me alone at the circle as he made a move for the batter's box. He stepped in the righty's box, standing at the back and digging his back foot in. He was ready.

The pitcher nodded at the catchers sign, stood up, and started his motion. It was slightly different than Garret's. Not as quick or as smooth. But it still had some speed. He threw a fastball down the middle. Noah had swung his fastest, yet it was still a little slow. It was good enough. Noah was able to connect late, and the ball was lifted high in the air, going down the first baseline towards right field.

Noah dropped his bat after contact and started to sprint. He wasn't even looking to see if it was fair or foul or if it was even caught. He just sprinted.

I nervously watched as the ball went to the corner corner of the field. It was going to be short, that's for sure. No homerun. The right fielder sprinted over, chasing it down. He made a dive at it, but the ball snuck under his glove as it bounced.

”Run!!”

”Faster!”

”Keep going!”

Our dugout got rowdy after the outfielder missed. Noah had a hit!

Noah had already rounded first and was almost at second. He didn't look like he was slowing down. He tagged second base and was still sprinting.

The rightfielder already got up and got the ball. He recovered quickly. He threw to his cutoff man, the second baseman, who had went out to the grass.

”To third!” The pitcher yelled.

The second baseman received the ball, turned and threw it across the diamond to the third baseman. What an arm!

The third baseman caught the throw and moved to tag Noah. Noah was already hugging third base; he had started his slide just seconds before and was easily safe.

”Safe!” The umpire confirmed, extending his arms to make the motion.

”Yes!!”

”That's what I'm talking about!”

”Do the same thing Jake!!”

”Just get a hit!”

Our teams dugout was going wild after Noah's leadoff triple. I swallowed. I couldn't follow up with another triple...I can't run or slide like Noah.

”It's okay, be calm.” Zeke spoke in a clear voice from the dugout. I glanced back at him. ”Just bring him home. You don't have to do anything special.”

With his calm demeanor, I felt more relaxed. Yea. There's no need for me to try for a triple too. I just need to bring the runner home to give us the lead. No biggie.