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

”Bro, they haven't even scored yet.” Noah slapped him on the back. ”One out. Two to go. We can flip a double play still.”

”If not,” Jason spoke up. ”So what? We can afford to give up a run. Just stay levelheaded.”

”Coach trusted us to come in and take over.” Alex said. ”Let's get it done!”

”Yeah!” Brian perked up a little bit, gaining some color in his cheeks.

”Alright. Play is at second and first. Those are priority. We'll try for the double if doable.” Julian clapped twice and we all went back to our spots.

Brian stretched, rotating his shoulders, before stepping on the rubber. He checked both baserunners on first and third. Alex signaled for the pitch and Brian delivered a fastball outside. Swing and a miss. 0-1. Brian repeated the process, making sure the runners didn't go too far. Another fastball outside, but this time the bat connected. The hitter didn't get a good handle on it and it ended up being a grounder down the first baseline.

The runners took off and everyone went into motion. Brian was in an awkward spot with just finishing his motion so Julian went out to get the ball as I moved to cover first base.

”Go home!”

”Safe!”

”Hustle!”

”Move it!”

Shouts came from all around; so much so that I couldn't recognize who was saying what. Julian spun around, ball in hand, tossing it my way to get the batter out. I made sure to have my foot on the base to ensure the out. I then transferred the ball to my throwing hand as I watched the runner on third sprint for home.

I stuttered step, by accident. Realizing I would be too late to throw home, my shoulders started to sag.

”TO THIRD!!” I heard Noah's voice cut through the background noise.

Without thinking too much or taking a close look, I followed his command and threw the ball to Jason on third the best I could. Only after did I realize that the runner from first had rounded second and tried for third. Jason caught the ball and started to chase him back to second base. Then he threw the ball to Noah, and Noah proceeded to chase the runner to third. It was a pickle!

A pickle! I haven't done this before. I turned to look to Julian for help, only to see him moving to cover second. Noah threw the ball to Brian who was covering third after Jason had moved to second base after his throw. Like this, they took turns chasing the runner between the bases and throwing the ball to one another. I could only stand there awkwardly, trying to decide whether I should jump in or not.

Finally the runner slipped up and Julian laid down the tag.

”Out!”

We got him! A double play to end the inning. I clenched my fist as I watched the guys walked back to the dugout, looking a little tired from the short sprints.

”Nice throw, Bambi!” Mahki clapped me on the shoulder, surprising me. I flinched a little as he led me to the dugout. ”That was smart thinking out there. We didn't give up a run for nothing!”

I frowned. ”We wouldn't have given up the run if I was just a bit faster.” Or maybe more agile. Or not so hesitant. I had an urge to bury my head in my shirt to hide my embarrassment.