Chapter 467 - CIF Quarterfinal Northwood HS (8) (1/2)

Bottom of the sixth, we took the field. Alex and Brian came jogging in from the bullpen as Coach spoke with the umpire about the player changes.

”How's the arm holding up?” Julian asked me, as us four infielders stood in a group behind the mound, watching Brian throw some practice pitches.

I glanced down at my wrapped up arm. ”It's okay. Doesn't hurt. Slightly itchy.”

”Itchy means it's healing.” He nodded.

”Or that there's an infection!” Noah exclaimed dramatically in a joking manner.

Julian whacked him on the head with his gloved hand. ”Don't fool around. There are still two innings left.”

”I know.” He pouted, rubbing his head. ”I was just trying to be funny.”

”It's not the time to be funny.” Julian lectured. ”This is the time to be serious.” He glanced to the outfield, looking at the scoreboard. ”If things go wrong or if we mess this up, this could be my last game. The seniors last high school game.” He swung his head back to Noah to glare at him. ”So stay focused.”

”Yes, sir.” Noah saluted him. Then quickly jogged back to his position to avoid getting whacked again.

Julian sighed and shook his head. ”He's like the energizer bunny. He just keeps going and going and going. It's like he doesn't have an off switch.”

”He wouldn't be Noah otherwise.” Jason laughed.

They both jogged back to their positions and I backed up to mine. Brian only had a few pitches left so it was time to get ready.

I glanced to Noah on my right and he gave me a thumbs up with the biggest grin on his face. I cracked a smile and got set as the umpire called the batter up.

Brian had to start from the second batter. The batter was 0-2 for the game, but that didn't mean anything against a new pitcher. Especially when Brian delivers a nice, easy pitch for him to smack to the outfield. The hit bounced once before Garret could get to it. Garret was quick to return the ball back to the infield, keeping the batter to a single. A lead off single.

”Don't mind!” Noah told Brian, relaying the baseball to him on the mound.

Brian gave a short nod before facing the third batter. This guy was also 0-2 for the game, but again, that was only against Dave. Brian seemed to put in more effort, aiming his pitches to hard spots, but his speed was lacking. The batter got cornered into a 1-2 count, and ended up striking out on a pitch outside of the zone. One out.

With the cleanup batter next, Noah and I backed up to the edge of the infield. I shifted more left to cover the ground that Julian couldn't since he was holding the runner to first. It was all for naught; the batter hit a nice line drive above my head, to right field. Mahki got the ball in as fast as he could, but the runner from first still made it to third on the batter's single. He got up from the slide into third and dusted himself off as the crowd cheered. They were one base away from scoring.

Julian called time out and walked to the mound, waving to us infielders to join in too. Alex came running up from behind home plate.

”Sorry, guys.” Brian was looking slightly pale. ”This is all my fault. I can't get the ball to do what I want to.”

”I'm not here to scold you or to blame you.” Julian knocked him on the shoulder. ”This is how it goes sometimes. I need you to calm down and straightened yourself out.”

Brian nodded solemnly.