482 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 8 (2/2)

”You said your arm wasn't much either.” Drew narrowed his eyes at me. He continued to work on my leg, forcing it to bend this way and that.

I could only sit back on the bench and let him do his job. My teammates didn't crowd around me, knowing that I liked my space. They gave me a few smiles and shouted some feel good words of encouragement before focusing back on the game.

Anderson had done another pitcher change to go up against our pinch hitter, Tanner. Ryan wasn't needed for the last inning with James coming in.

”What do you think, Drew?” Coach asked, eyeing the game.

Drew rubbed the back of my calf, right where it hurt the most. ”It's a good size knot. He'll have to simple home treatments like RICE.” (Rest. Ice. Compress. Elevate.) ”He's going to be sore for a couple of days.”

”Can he go back in?” Coach asked, drawing my attention to him.

Drew shrugged. ”It won't be too much of a hindrance, but I would suggest immediate rest to not make it worse.”

”Hmm.” Coach hummed as he watched the game. Tanner just popped out to the third baseman, keeping Zeke and Garret at second and third respectively. He glanced down at me. ”What do you think?”

”I'm fine!” I told him.

Coach let out a short laugh and watched on as Noah got up to bat next. ”Let's play it by ear. If we can grab the lead, I'll feel confident enough to let James close it out. If we're still tied, you'll go back out since we can't afford to lose you on offense right now.” He walked a few steps away, watching the game with all of his attention now.

Drew continued to massage my leg.

Noah was struggling against the new pitcher, unable to keep up with his speed. He was quickly cornered into a 1-2 count. The pitcher threw a wild curve, Noah didn't swing as the pitch hit the plate and bounced passed the catcher.

”Go!”

”To third!”

”Go, go!”

Everyone seemed to be yelling at the same time. We watched as Zeke sprinted to third as the catcher scrambled for the ball. The catcher picked the ball up, spun around and threw to third as Zeke came sliding into the base.

”Safe!”

The third baseman didn't stop for a moment before throwing to second base. Garret has taken off too, but he had even more time to reach safely.

”Safe!”

Runners at second and third. One out. 2-2 count. I clenched my fist as Noah got back in the box. This was good. He can't hit into a double play now.

The pitcher went at Noah with a high fastball. Foul. Still 2-2. Then a low fastball. He got a piece of it, yet still foul. 2-2. The team chanted Noah's name as they watched him from the dugout. I could even hear Mrs. Atkins out in the stands, yelling for Noah to do his best.

'Ding.'

He connected! Stay fair! The ball popped off Noah's bat and floated over the infield. It landed softly between the first baseman and the right fielder. The right fielder picked the ball up and threw to home right away just as Zeke tagged the plate with ease; Garret stayed at third. Noah got us the lead back! 9-8.

The team shook the dugout fencing and made some noise. Noah stood proudly on first base, grinning like he won the lottery.

Coach glanced back at me. ”You're out.” I nodded, understanding. He looked down the dugout. ”Hey!” It quieted down. ”Tanner, you'll go play second for Jake so get your glove out.”

”Is Jake hurt?” Zeke asked, coming back in time to hear Coach's words.

”It's just a precaution.” Coach answered.

Zeke came to me anyways. He spoke with Drew and was finally satisfied with his answer that I'll just have a good size bruise tomorrow.

Zeke shook his head at me. ”What are we going to do with you if you keep getting hurt?”

I shrugged, feeling a little guilty.

”Let me put your helmet away.” Zeke gently pulled my helmet off my head and went to my bag, packing it up.

Sadly, two runs was all we could get out of this inning. Kelvin hit into a 6-4-3 double play. But we still had the lead, a one run lead.

”Jake! Did you see that?!” Noah exclaimed as he came back to the dugout. I nodded. ”I hit that! I got a RBI single! To take the lead back! This is amazing!”

”Alright, that's enough.” Mr. Miller came in and pushed him along. ”You have to get back out there and play defense still.”

Noah looked back at me, losing some of his excitement. ”Jake, are you not coming? Is your leg hurting?”

”I'm fine.” I gave him a thumbs up.

Noah sighed with relief then hurried to his bag to switch out his gear to take the field with the others. Coach came back from talking with the umpire about the pitching change.

Bottom of the seventh. James continued to show his dominance at closing games. He struck out the side, batters two, three, and four. They couldn't even foul off his curve. Our team rushed to the mound to celebrate.

”That was a tough one.” Drew sighed. ”So hard to watch.”

”But it was worth it.” Coach smiled as he came over. He held out his hand, waiting. I hesitantly reached out so he could shake my hand. ”Jake, congratulations, you're going to the finals.”

A smile took over my face. ”Thanks, Coach. You too.”