444 Game @ Servite (4) (1/2)

Top of the third, with a 1-0 lead, Kyle started us off. But in reality, he stood no chance against Sanchez. He struck out on three pitches and didn't even have the decency to look ashame as he walked back to the dugout.

Noah rolled his eyes for me to see as I came out to stand in the circle and he moved for the batter's box. He was no longer wishing that Kyle did poorly, but I was starting to see how he can get annoyed with Kyle so easily. It's funny to think that Noah used to call him the 'nice' twin. I mean, he's not as physical and aggressive as Dave...but there's a small feeling, in my mind, that Dave cares more.

Noah didn't live up to his bragging during his second at-bat. Sanchez threw every pitch in the zone and with speed. He definitely didn't want to give Noah a free pass to get on base again. Noah went down swinging; our second out of the inning already.

With a sigh, I moved to the batter's box. I stayed with batting from the right, taking some extra time to even out the dirt. I think I may be a little ocd about this. I wonder if Dr. Moore could help me in this aspect. It's not like we have to talk about my family anymore. Soon enough, my family will be the Atkins family.

Feeling high from that thought, I swung and connected on the first pitch Sanchez delivered, sending it to right field. I dropped my bat and sprinted to first base, making it safely as the right fielder threw the ball in.

"That was quick." Coach Luis remarked.

Embarrassed, I rubbed my nose and avoided eye contact. Coach Luis knew the routine: foul off pitches to tire out the pitcher. Luckily for me, he didn't pick at my sudden hit. He just clapped a few times for Garret, who was next up to bat.

I took a small lead off the base, mostly just for show since I had no confidence to run against a left-handed pitcher. Sanchez was able to stare me down before peeking at his catcher for a sign, then glared in my direction before going through with his pitch. I shivered and scooted an inch or two or three back to the base. I'm not Noah. I can't steal bases. Best to play it safe.

Garret got cornered into a 1-2 count, and made contact, putting the ball into play. At the sound of the bat connecting, I took off for second base. Unfortunately, Garret had hit a grounder to the shortstop. All the shortstop had to do was flip the ball to the second baseman for the easy out at second.

I slowed up and eventually came to a complete stop. I sighed and headed back to the dugout. Noah passed me on his way out of the dugout and waved with his glove. I nodded.

I switched out my gear and tried to catch up with my teammates that were already warming up again.

"Jake. A moment." Coach held me back.

I paused beside him at the dugout entrance/exit. "Yes?"

Coach looked down at me so we could make eye contact. "I won't pick on your batting. You do great almost every time you're up and I can't complain about your hit. I just want to take a second and ask about what happened afterwards."