481 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 7 (1/2)

Bottom of the fifth. We took the field with renewed energy, happy to have the lead back, 7-6. Dave had to start with the top of the lineup, which wasn't so bad when you look back and see that they haven't been able to do much.

At least, back then, but they turned up for the second half of the game. Starting with a hit, the leadoff batter skipped a fast ground ball right by me, even when I laid out in the dirt for it. The batter tagged first and rounded the base, going straight for second without hesitation.

Mahki, who was back in right field with Garret back in left, came sprinting in. He lowered his body to snatched the ball off the grass and continued his movement, throwing the ball almost immediately. I was still in the dirt, caught out of position. I started to push myself up.

”Down!” Noah's voice raises above everyone else's.

I stayed where I was at, trusting him. I turned my head to see him catch the ball that Mahki had thrown, and then swung down the gloved-hand at the runner, who was sliding into second.

”Out!” The umpire pumped his fist.

”Oh yea!” Noah pointed at Mahki right field, then gave him a thumbs up. The runner could only get up and jog back to his dugout with his head hung low. Noah threw the ball back to Dave on the mound. ”One out!”

”One out!” Some of the guys echoed.

Dave wasn't as happy as the rest of us. He groaned in frustration and it affected his pitching to the next batter. He gave up another single, but this time the runner didn't go to second and get thrown out. Instead, he waited until the following at-bat, then stole second right under our noses. I froze when he took off, unsure of what to do. Luckily, Noah covered second when Kelvin made the throw after the pitch or maybe the runner would have been able to go to third.

”Keep cool.” Noah told Dave when throwing the ball back to him on the mound.

Dave clenched his jaw and gave a tight nod before turning back to the batter. He centered himself and focused on the batter instead of the runner. He worked out: the batter popped the ball up right to me. I barely moved a step before making the catch, getting the second out. Dave finished the inning off on a strikeout, letting us keep the lead.

”You had me worried there for a second.” Noah jogged to catch up to Dave.

Dave scrunched up his face in dissatisfaction. ”They're good. I definitely felt pressured. Kyle and Garret didn't have it easy, that's for sure.”

Noah patted his shoulder. ”Don't worry, you've got this.” He told him as we entered the dugout.

”Dave, take a rest.” Coach said as soon as he saw Dave.

”Or not...” Noah said. ”Whoops.” He mumbled before sneaking away. I slowly followed him.

”I'm okay, Coach.” Dave pleaded his case. ”I didn't give up any runs.”

Dave knew he couldn't win so he sighed and walked to the end of the dugout to join his twin.

”That's gotta hurt.” Noah said when he knew Dave couldn't hear him.

I put on my helmet before nodding in agreement.

”Coach has a point though.” Noah added on. ”Plus we're about to go up against the core of their lineup that has scored and driven in most of the runs. Ryan will have to come into a tough situation.”

I gulped. ”I could never be a pitcher.”