479 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 5 (2/2)
”Easier said than done.” Garret whispered. ”My hands are shaking like a leaf in a tornado.” He smacked his pitching hand into his glove a couple of times. ”I think they must have done research on us or something.”
”Of course they did, goofball.” Julian rolled his eyes. ”It's the playoffs. They probably had substantial information on you and the twins.”
”Should we tell Coach?” Noah asked.
”He would know.” Julian glanced back to our dugout and saw Coach talking to one of the pitching coaches. ”Dave's probably warming up as we speak. Do you want to be replaced by Dave, Garret?”
”Of course not!” He blurted out. His shoulders slumped. ”I can't help it though. I've only thrown two pitches this inning, and it's been a disaster. My mental state isn't at it's prime. I'm shaken.”
”Hang in there!” Julian patted his shoulder.
”Ten seconds.” The umpire warned us and we broke up, everyone going back to their respective positions.
Garret was right to say he was shaken. Even though he knew it and tried his best, something was lacking. It showed too. The sixth batter who previously had a walk, was able to sneak a line drive out of my reach, right up the middle. He drove in one run, and then made it to second when Zeke chose to throw the ball to Jason at third to get the other runner. Jason caught the ball and made the tag, but the runner was still declared safe, sneaking under that tag.
As if that wasn't enough, the next batter hit a single to right field. Sean chased the ball down, threw it in my direction, but wasn't as accurate as the others. I had to move over, did an awkward turn, then threw my best to Kelvin at home. All for naught. Those runners on second and third made it home. Not only did we hold the tie, we were three runs back in the hole.
I angrily kicked the dirt, frustrated with my own movements. If I was just a little bit quicker and more flexible, I could have had a chance to get that second runner at home.
”C'mon, it's not that bad.” Noah appeared next to me. I looked up and saw that Coach had come out of the dugout to speak to the umpire. And then to Garret. He took the ball out of his hands. ”Dave's coming in.” Noah whispered.
Dave came running in from the bullpen as Garret was sent back to left field, pushing Mahki back to right, ultimately pulling Sean from the game.
”Dang, that's rough.” Noah mumbled as we watched Sean jogging back to the dugout. ”He hits a homer and then gets pulled, not even a full inning later.”
”All part of the game.” Julian joined us, as we watched Dave throw some practice pitches. ”He did his part.”
”I know.” Noah frowned. ”I just said that it's rough. But I understand. I wouldn't be surprised if Coach put a pinch hitter in for me either.”
Julian sighed. ”I'm not doing any better than you are, kid.”
We stood in silence until Dave was ready to go, then slowly went back to our spots. This game was going downhill once more, and we needed to hold them here, otherwise it was just going to get harder.
Dave didn't shy away from pitching inside even though Garret had just hit a batter. He went high and inside, jamming the batter who came out swinging. The bat pushed the ball forward, but it was just a slow dribbler to the mound. Dave didn't waste any time coming off the mound; then he surprised me by turning all the way around to throw the runner out at second. Noah, who was covering, stepped on second with the ball in his glove, then smoothly transitioned to throw to first as the runner came sliding in, knocking him down after his throw.
”Out!”
”Out!”
A double play!
I hurried to Noah, helping him to his feet. ”Are you hurt?”
”Just a scrape.” He stood up on his feet, brushing some of the dirt off his uniform. He grinned as he looked up at the mound. ”Cutting it close, Davey.”