479 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 5 (1/2)

Garret dealt with the top of the lineup for Anderson just as easily as Kyle had done in the first inning. He closed them out with a line out to left field, a groundout to first, then a strikeout looking. Three up, three down.

Only down by one, the dugout was more boisterous as we got ready for another turn to bat. Sean replaced Kyle in the lineup, so he was the one to lead us off first to start the fourth inning.

I sat down to watch, taking off my glove.

Noah was hurrying to switch his gear just to wait for his turn at-bat in the circle. He was staring down the pitcher so hard, it was like he was trying to melt him with just his eyes.

Sean fouled off a couple of pitches down the right field line, looking like he was holding his own against this pitcher. On the fifth pitch he surprised us by launching the ball to left field. It was a high one. Everyone jumped off the bench, including me. We held onto the dugout fence and watched as the ball cleared the outfield and flew over the fence.

Homerun! A solo shot to tie the game!

It wasn't proper to go out and celebrate in the middle of the game, but as soon as Sean returned from his victory lap, the team started to pounce on him, pushing and pulling. He laughed until he was red in the face, probably feeling a sense of accomplishment.

I smiled as I sat back down, happy that we were no longer losing. The game was tied at three. I like being on even ground instead of that hole.

Anderson's coach apparently had seen enough from this pitcher that had given up three runs. He pulled him and replaced with another just like we had to do.

I peeked over at Kyle. He was sitting with Garret, talking and looking somewhat less depressed. That's good. I sighed with relief. I didn't want to see him down on himself.

Noah had to face the new pitcher first. He did his best, getting a piece of the ball, and hitting a grounder to the third baseman. The third baseman was good though. He fielded the ball with ease and his throw was on point, getting Noah out.

Kelvin and Jason weren't any better. Kelvin struck out looking, then Jason followed that up with a pop up foul ball to the catcher to end the offense. It brought our team down from the high of hitting a homerun to tie the game, but you could still feel the determination as we took the field for defense.

That determination wavered after the first pitch was sent straight into the outfield fence. The cleanup hitter who had a homerun in the second inning, had returned, earning himself a stand up double against Garret on the very first pitch.

The ball was thrown in to Noah, who gave it to Garret. They both looked shocked, and neither had anything to say. It was like a sense of disbelief. How did he get on base so fast? Was the pitch too easy?

Garret didn't look bothered by the change in hitters. Yet, on the very next pitch, his cutter didn't break like it normally did, and instead, hit into the batter's thigh.

The crowd let out a gasp.

Hit by pitch. Garret actually hit a batter.

The batter got checked over for a second before jogging to first. Meanwhile, the other infielders and I went to the mound to check on Garret.

This had never happened before. A double, then a hit by pitch? Garret doesn't do this. On two pitches too!

Unsure of what to say, I looked to Noah. He was looking at Kelvin though. ”Hey, what's happening?”

Kelvin looked as unsure as I felt. He shrugged and looked at Garret. ”Did you lose your grip on that? Are your hands sweaty?”

”Of course they're sweaty!” Garret lifted his glove to hide his lips and lowered his voice. ”I was shaken by the cleanup hitter. I almost gave up a homerun...on the very first pitch of the inning. What should I do?”

”Don't panic.” Julian spoke behind his glove too. ”Panicking will just make things worse. Just recollect yourself and regain your footing.”