445 Game @ Servite (5) (1/2)

"Hey, what's going on with you?" Noah waved a hand in front of my face. "Why are you staring down Coach and Zeke?"

I shrugged sheepishly. "Well, James came from the bullpen to speak with Coach."

"Yea, I saw that." Noah nodded, glancing at his oldest brother, who was now leaving Coach and the dugout. He was about to begin his at-bat. "Do you think he said something that Coach has to repeat to Zeke?"

"Kind of." I shrugged again. "I'm just curious, that's all."

Noah's gaze sharpened as he looked around from Zeke, to Coach, to the bullpen and back to Zeke. "Hmm. There'll be an opportunity to ask at some point. For now, let's just see what Zeke does at the plate."

I nodded and we both for comfortable. There wouldn't be much of a chance for either of us to bat this inning unless we score a few runs.

As for watching Zeke? We did so with intensity and interest...yet, it just led to disappointment. Zeke made some amazing hits, but they all went foul of the pole. When he finally straightened one out, it went too straight. A line drive right to their center fielder.

Our dugout was filled with a two second groan, but it was cut short thanks in part to Coach, who sent an angry glare down the line. Everyone felt stifled and tried to hold back the depression.

"It's still early." Noah clenched a fist. "Still have at least one at-bat left."

I nodded in agreement. It's not like we're losing. With a 1-0 lead, you would think our team wouldn't feel bothered by a scoreless inning. But after back to back groundouts by the seniors, Mahki and Julian, there was some pressure as we took the field in the bottom of the fourth.

It was clear to see in Kyle's pitching that he was feeling the invisible pressure. His pitches were wild, putting him in an unfavorable 3-0 count. He forced himself to throw one down the middle, which the batter let pass for a called strike. 3-1. Kyle wasn't so fortunate on the next pitch. The batter, number three in the lineup, wasn't going to let such an easy pitch pass twice. He connected and pulled it to right field.

Everyone started to move: the batter took off running as Garret chased the ball to the fence. Noah moved out to the grass and I moved to cover second base. The ball hit the outfield fence and rolled back to Garret; he picked it up, spun around, and threw the ball back with some speed. Noah had to go out a little more to make the catch, then he did his best to relay the ball to me at second while the runner was coming in.

I caught the ball and swung my gloved hand down to make the tag as he slid into the bag..and me. I toppled over him, but it didn't hurt as other collisions so I quickly popped up, looking at the umpire. Waiting.

The ump extended his arms. "Safe."