504 CIF Finals: West Valley Prep 8 (1/2)

It was the top of the seventh inning. If we don't make something happen here, it really will be game over.

I took my practice swings seriously, trying to focus on keeping speed with the pitcher on the mound. It's been some time since I had to concentrate this hard on batting right. Good thing I still practiced every time we were at The Cages.

I paused to watch Noah's at-bat, hoping he would get on base. He swung and missed on the first two pitches, unable to keep up with the fastball. The pitcher threw a curve, breaking away from Noah's swing, but the edge of his bat made contact. The ball dribbled down the first baseline as Noah took off sprinting. The first baseman scooped the slow grounder up and tagged the base before Noah could get there.

The West Valley fans got loud as they were one out closer to being crowned the champions.

Noah came back and Kelvin stepped up. I watched as Noah took his glove out of his bag as he sat down, like he knew we were going to be able to take the field one more time.

I gripped the new bat in my hands a little tighter and took a few more serious swings. I stayed focused until I heard the sound of a bat hitting the ball. I whipped my head to the field and saw that he was able to hit a grounder as well. But to the shortstop, who fielded it easily. Two outs.

The fans were stomping, clapping, and yelling as Garret stepped up to the plate.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and stood against the dugout fence with the rest of my teammates.

”Come on, Garret!”

”You can do it!”

Garret was in the lefty's box, facing us. He grinned just before getting into the box. He pulled his bat back in a slow manner like it weighed a few extra pounds.

The pitcher squinted at his catcher's signs. Nodded. Got set. Started his motion.

”Strike!” The umpire yelled.

Garret didn't even swing. He just watched it go by. The crowd got louder. Only two strikes away.

The catcher gave the ball back to his pitcher. The pitcher got set once more, nodded at the pitch selection, then started his delivery.

Garret took a step forward almost at the same time. He timed his swing well making a solid connection as that fastball came in. The ball came off the bat, going down the left field line.

”Get up!”

”Stay fair!”

”Go! Go!”

My teammates started to yell and jump up and down as we watched the ball soar. It barely cleared the wall. But it still made it! Home run! Tie game!

There was a roar through the crowd as Garret ran the bases, practically skipping. He tagged home plate and ripped his helmet off. ”Let's gooo!”

The crowd responded with chants of his name, drowning out the West Valley fans.