412 Game VS Servite (1) (1/2)

1 LF Garret Knudsen

2 2B Jake Hollander

3 CF Zeke Atkins

4 1B Julian Wilson

5 RF Mahki Holstrom

6 3B Jason Morris

7 SS Noah Atkins

8 C Alex Farrell

9 P Kyle Atkins

Coach told us the lineup before the game and...it was different. Never mind the fact that Noah wasn't batting early in the lineup, but also, Zeke was no longer the cleanup hitter.

"I constructed this lineup this way for a reason. Sanchez is a good pitcher and has great endurance." Coach told us. "I want our best hitters to get the most at-bats so don't think too much."

"But, Garret's a lefty...he's at a disadvantage, yet you put him first." Noah said.

Coach nodded. "But he has the next best average and on base percentage after Zeke and Jake. It would be a waste to make Jake hit first and then Zeke second. I'm not saying it'll work out, but this is what I'm hoping for: an early lead. We get up on that scoreboard, and then pitching and defense will hold them down."

Kyle looked nervous. "How about we score lots of runs?" Some of the guys snickered. Kyle clung to my arm out of nowhere. "Please! Jake! You have to do your best!"

Noah pulled him off me. "Stop that. You know Jake doesn't like that."

"Get a grip, dude." Dave slapped Kyle's arm. "If you can't find the courage then just sit down. There are others who want to pitch too."

"You're not even allowed to pitch today." Kyle glared at his twin.

Dave sighed and put his hands on top of his head. "I wasn't talking about me. Just go hard. There are plenty of pitchers in the pen."

"I don't need you to tell me that." He huffed and headed for the bullpen to warmup before the game. Other pitchers and both catchers went as well. Everyone started to warmup properly now that the nerves had settled.

The game started at 3pm so it wasn't surprising that students started to fill up the stands as we were warming up. What was surprising was how many Servite students showed up. Especially since they're an all-boys school.

"This will be the biggest crowd we've played in front of." Noah told me after warmups. We were waiting in the dugout to take the field. "Even bigger than any tournament game."

I glanced at him. "How can you say that?"

He grinned and looked out in the stands that were completely packed. "Because this time, everyone here is here to see us play. There aren't any random spectators. Everyone is here to cheer for us or for Servite."

I shivered, not liking the fact that Noah was making this a big deal.

"Look! There's Willie." Noah pointed at the scout in the center, behind home plate. He was sitting with other men that didn't look affiliated with either high school. "I guess there are some spectators who won't be cheering." Noah corrected himself.