416 Game VS Servite (5) (1/2)

Sanchez cornered Julian to an 0-2 count, then threw a third strike right down the middle and caught him looking. One out.

Mahki sauntered to the box next, not looking nervous in the slightest. Which was good, because I think I'm nervous enough for the whole team combined. I was shifting back and forth, trying to loosen up. I don't want to accidentally fall during such a crucial turning point in the game.

Mahki got set in the box, and Sanchez was set on the mound. Mahki fouled off the first pitch. Then the next. 0-2. My hands started to shake. Come on, Mahki. Just put it in play so I can get us on the scoreboard.

The third pitch was in the zone. Foul. Foul. Ball. Ball. 2-2. It was becoming a long at-bat. I wonder if this is how the team feels when watching me battle it out with the pitcher..?

'Ding!' The seventh pitch was blasted to the outfield.

I went back to third and kept my foot on the bag, eyes on home plate.

"Go!" Mr. Miller had let me know when to take off.

I sprinted to home. Jason, who was picking up Mahki's bat, yelled, "No slide."

I tagged home plate as the catcher stood out of the way. As I turned to look, the ball just arrived to the pitcher. Zeke had also safely tagged up and made it to third base without sliding. Two outs, only down by one now.

"Nice!" Jason patted me on the head as he moved to the batter's box.

Mahki and I went back to the dugout together. He stole most of the attention as he started to complain about his at-bat. "It really could have been a two RBI hit if that outfielder was just a second slower." He grumbled.

"Don't mind!"

"Only one away from a tie, and two away from a win."

"That's only if we don't give up anymore runs."

The conversation quickly turned to who would pitch this next inning. We could see movement in the bullpen and knew that Kyle was coming out, but Coach didn't say anything else.

I went to my bag to switch out my gear. Noah was on deck, set to hit after Jason, so I had no one to talk to. But it didn't matter. Jason struck out swinging on three pitches. It was time to start the fifth.