425 Game VS Quincy HS (5) (1/2)

There wasn't any time to speak with Dave to find out what happened with him. Drew took him to a corner for some space, while Coach went to the ump to name our new pitcher. Tyler jogged out of the bullpen, looking uncomfortable. He had limited experience this season and it seemed to show all over his face. He wasn't okay with the sudden summons.

As he warmed up on the mound, Noah and I met by second base.

"He doesn't look so good." I mumbled, kicking the base with my head down.

"You're right." Noah spoke into his glove. "He looks like you."

My head snapped up so I could glare at him.

"Kidding." Noah chuckled. "You no longer have that 'deer in the headlights' look." He glanced at Tyler. "This is the problem with letting Garret and the twins hog the mound. The rest of the pitchers might lose confidence."

"I would have felt better with Bryce." I whispered into my own glove, scared to be overheard. "He's always happy to take the mound."

"Nah, this is fine." Noah told me, patting my shoulder. "Coach is probably testing the bullpen. We have a good lead. I'm sure if things go south, he'll correct it."

After reassuring me, we both went back to our positions as Tyler was done with his warmup pitches. He would get to start from batter number seven so I tried telling myself that everything would be okay.

The fifth inning got off to a rough start, Tyler threw four straight balls and walked the first batter he faced. Against the next batter, his pitches got closer to the zone, but it lacked any movement or rhythm. Batter number eight hit a solid single to center field. Zeke tried his best to throw out the runner at second, with Noah catching his throw and touching the base.

"Safe!" The umpire extended his arms. Batter were safe at first and second. No outs.

"Don't mind!" Noah told Tyler as he threw him the baseball. "Let's turn a double play!" He yelled for everyone to hear.

I stiffened. So did Tyler. Maybe for the same reason too: the pressure. Noah, unknowingly had put pressure on us. For me, it's because I had a fear of making an error and not being able to get the double play, and letting the team down. For Tyler, it meant that he had to throw something that the batter would swing at and hit to an infielder. Or he would also be letting the team down.

I couldn't tell all of Tyler's thoughts, but I knew for sure that he was affected by Noah's 'encouragement'. His pitches were all over the place and he ended up walking the number nine batter. The bases were loaded as the top of the batter order came up for their third go around.

The pitching coach called time and went to the mound to talk with Tyler and Alex.

"Jake." Julian beckoned for me to walk closer to him. Surprised, I met him halfway since he was walking my way too. "With the bases loaded, and no outs, were going to stand a little different, okay?"

"Umm, okay?" I felt unsure.

Julian cracked a smile. "It's nothing too difficult. I just won't be holding the runner at first base anymore so go ahead and shift over a little to protect more up the middle. And stand back more on the grass. Your job is to try and not let anything through. So if I miss a grounder to my right, you should be able to cut it off at the grass."