480 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 6 (1/2)

Down by three, it wasn't hard to imagine why the dugout was as quiet as a mouse. Top of the fifth, starting with the top of our lineup. If we didn't get something going now, it'll be a questionable ending for us.

”Make something happen, Jake.” Noah whispered to me.

I gave him a tight smile, trying to be upbeat. ”Sure. I'll get on.”

”That's not enough!” He blurted out. ”We need runs this inning or this might actually be your last at-bat.”

”Hey, hey.” Mahki overheard us on his way out of the dugout. ”Just relax guys. We can do anything the other team can do. We both made it to the semifinals.” He gave Noah a reassuring grin, looking more confident than I felt. ”Rely on your seniors a little. We'll carry you to victory.” He left us and the dugout.

”I rather rely on you, Jake.” Noah rested his chin in his hands, elbows on the knees. Him being hunched over like that, made him look smaller than he really was. He must be feeling insecure.

”Hey, if Mahki said he'll get on, then I could get a run.” I grabbed my bat and pushed on my helmet.

”We'll need more than one.” He sighed.

I couldn't think of anything else to say to cheer him up, plus, I didn't have the time. I moved to the dugout entrance and waited near Coach.

Zeke showed up beside me, tugging on his batting gloves. He didn't say a word, but the atmosphere seemed a little colder near him. He must be upset too. He couldn't do much on defense, and he was completely taken out of the action on offense.

'Ding.'

I whipped my head back to the field. Mahki has snuck a ground ball between the first and second basemen for a single.

”Good hit!”

”Nice, Mahki!”

”Let's go Jules!”

The dugout livened up with that leadoff hit. I moved to the on deck circle as Julian went up to bat. Julian had it easy thanks to Mahki's hit. It must have shaken up the pitcher a little because he started to miss the strike zone. He was all over the place and ended up walking Julian, pushing Mahki to second base.

I stepped up with two on, no outs. I could hear my teams dugout getting rowdy. Even the crowd seemed to get a little amped up like they knew something would happen. I glanced back to the dugout to see Noah standing up against the fence, telling me to get a hit. Just outside the gated dugout was Zeke, standing calmly in the on deck circle.

Zeke. It dawned on me then. Zeke would have to bat if I got on base. In fact, Anderson would have to pitch to him if the bases were loaded. There was no way they could just intentionally walk him and purposely give up a run with no outs. Garret was still behind him too.

The pitcher officially walked me, loading up the bases. He groaned loud enough for me to hear on my way to first. When I got to the base, I turned to see the Anderson coach coming out. They were replacing the pitcher.