414 Game VS Servite (3) (2/2)

I looked out to Garret in left field. "But...Garret plays almost every game. And he's a pitcher. I think it just depends on what kind of pitcher you are..."

Noah rolled his eyes. "Jake...I can't hit like Garret. There's no way Coach would let a pitcher play shortstop on the days they weren't pitching. Too much of a chance for an injury. You saw Dave, a ripped nail kept him out for almost two weeks. My nails crack all the time from diving in the dirt and making awkward plays."

Ok, so we shouldn't compare ourselves to Garret. He's an exception.

We both went to our spots as Kyle finished his warmup pitches. Kyle really worked hard, knowing that he probably wasn't going to come back. His pitch count soared as he battled the beginning of Servite's lineup again. The number two batter hit a grounder right to me and I easily made the play to first base for the first out.

After another high pitch count against the number three batter, he bounced a grounder between Jason and Noah. Noah made the dive and the grab, then followed it up with a long throw to first base from his knees. The home crowd went wild for the amazing play as soon as the ump called the batter out. Jason helped Noah up and clapped him on the back. Even Kyle lifted his hat to him.

"Great play, Noah!"

Two outs, no one on, top of the fourth and Kyle's nemesis was back at the plate. It was the player who had hit the homerun in the second inning. Kyle started off with a fastball right down the middle for a called strike. I shivered. What a risky pitch. 0-1. Kyle placed a pitch inside, backing the batter off the plate. 1-1.

On the third pitch, Kyle got him to swing and miss on an outside pitch. 1-2. Next, Kyle aimed fast and high, but the batter didn't let it pass for a ball. He took a big step forward and used his bat to smash it to left field. I moved to cover second as I watched Garret chase down the fly ball.

As a team, we were helpless and had to watch the ball become out of reach for our outfielders. Another solo shot. Down by two.

I glanced at Kyle and noticed his fist were clenched.

"Next one, next one!" Alex hollered, throwing Kyle a new baseball as the batter went around touching all the bases.

Kyle reset himself on the mound physically, but he was losing the mental battle. His pitches became sloppy and the fifth batter was able to connect on a fastball. He hit a line drive towards right field. Mahki sprinted in and had to lay himself out to make the diving catch.

The got the crowd a little excited, but it was still a little quiet since the second homerun. Everyone ran back to the dugout, eager to get off defense.

"You pitched well." Noah told Kyle as we entered the dugout together.

"No, I didn't." Kyle sighed, studying his right hand like it would have the answers for him.

"Giving up only two runs isn't so bad." Dave said. "We still have a chance. It's not like you were bombed."

"It's a 4.5 ERA for this game." Kyle sighed and slouched on the bench.

I wanted to stick around to listen, but I would lead off this inning so I had to switch out my gear and then leave the dugout. Zeke was already out on the circle, carelessly swinging his bat. Looking at his relaxed attitude made me feel like we were the ones winning by two.

Zeke nodded at me. "Get on. We've got work to do."

Ah, but still as serious as ever. I nodded and took some practice swings while I watched Sanchez throw some practice pitches off the mound.