497 CIF Finals: West Valley Prep 1 (1/2)
With the keys in hand, Zeke turned away, heading back to the bus to tell our coach.
Noah smiled at the other two. ”Have a good talk! Don't forget to cheer for us when the game starts.”
”Have fun out there.” Rhys grinned and waved for him to go.
I followed Noah back to the bus, where our team started to unload. Those that had wandered off were called back. When everyone was ready, Zeke led the way to the club room. It was clean and cleared for us to use. Similar to ours, but bigger. Way bigger.
The team spread out and started to change into their pregame gear. I was already dressed under my sweatshirt so I just had to get my cleats on. When everyone was ready, Zeke led us to the dugout so we could put our bags down and organize our gear. Noah and I picked the end of the dugout and were the first ones to step out.
”Wow. This. Is. Amazing.” Noah breathed, taking a look around at the empty stands. ”In an hour, the stands will start to fill up. I hope it fills up to the brim.”
I gulped and looked around. ”Do you think that'll really happen?”
Noah nodded confidently. ”Besides our school, their school, and all the families; there'll also be scouts, college coaches, and other baseball players that will want to watch. This. Is. A. Big. Deal.” He glanced at me and saw me shiver. He laughed and threw an arm around my shoulders. ”Don't be so scared. This is a once in a lifetime experience. No matter what, it'll be fun.”
I loosened up.
He tilted his head. ”You know...I think you got a little taller!”
”Really?” I looked up to him and tried to see if the difference between us was shrinking.
Noah grinned. ”Would I lie to you?”
I grinned.
***
Zeke led us through warmups, then we split up into groups with pitchers going to the bullpen, outfielders to batting practice, and infielders to drills. Then the infielder and outfielders switched. As we got closer to game time, I watched as the stands started to fill up.
Ten minutes until game time, both teams went back to their respective dugouts as the ground crew reset the infield and prepared the mound.
After Garret and Kelvin came jogging in from the bullpen, Coach spoke up. ”I'm proud of you boys. It's been an incredible season. We fought through injuries. We had to hold midseason tryouts.” He looked at me and Noah. ”And for the first time ever, I allowed two freshmen on the team.” He smiled. ”You boys really stood up and took charge. Now, I just want to know, can you do it for one more game?”
”Yes!!” Noah yelled.
Coach looked at all of us. ”Why am I only hearing Noah?”
”Yes, Coach!” The team said in unison.
He nodded. ”Good. Glad to hear it. Now, for the lineup:
1 1B Julian Wilson
2 CF Zeke Atkins
3 2B Jake Hollander
4 LF Mahki Holstrom
5 RF Sean Isner
7 SS Noah Atkins
8 C Kelvin Bender
9 P Garret Knudsen
The team was stunned into silence.
”Coach...I'm cleanup?” Mahki was the first to speak up.