Chapter 794 - V3 ch29 (Challenges 2) (2/2)

I glanced to see the catchers changing and a new pitcher warming up. Seeing that I had a minute, I explained to him my thought process. ”It would have been a borderline call and Coach isn't really fair.”

Matt let out a laugh. ”Yea, he's a bit tough on you. I thought I would give it a try though.”

”If there we're position players, I probably wouldn't have made contact on that pitch.” I told him honestly. ”You saw how it went to the second baseman spot. I would have like for it to at least get past the infield.” I smiled at him. ”You picked a tricky spot.”

Matt grinned at my compliment. ”Thanks. I've been working on my control. Aiming for those corners.”

I nodded and listened to him a little more before Coach called me back to the plate. I walked over with my bat in hand. A senior catcher from the JV team and a junior I didn't know on the mound. It was another one and done pitcher. The catcher stayed as an unfriendly opponent took the mound to warmup. Joey.

Ugh.

I wasn't scared of Joey's pitching, but I was definitely worried about him as a person. He reminded me of Chris. Just too...aggressive. The need to be right. To be on top.

I watched him throw a few pitches off the mound before Coach called for me to step up. I chose the righty's box. From what I remember, Joey only switched between a four-seam fastball and a two-seam fastball. Slight difference but no big breaking ball to be wary of.

Joey was set. I pulled my bat back, ready as well. Joey nodded, straightened up, then kicked his leg forward. I forgot how aggressive his pitching was too. It matched his personality.

I swung, but the ball took a small dip. I fouled the ball back into the catcher.

”Strike one.” Coach spoke up as the catcher got up to throw the ball back to Joey.

I pursed my lips together. I was obviously a little too eager, not even waiting to see if it was the two-seamer or the four. I calmed myself down and got set again. I don't need to be mean and hit a bomb off him. Just hit into fair territory so he doesn't get a free pass to be on the varsity team.

Joey got set once more. His second pitch went outside and dipped again. Two-seamer again. I held back from swinging. The catcher caught it near the corner of the strike zone.

”Strike two.” Coach declared.

Coach really isn't fair. I pouted back at him.

”I may have blinked.” Coach shrugged as the catcher threw the ball back.

I didn't believe him for a second. He might just want to know what would happen if I had an 0-2 count. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Joey doesn't have anything on me. I've got this.

Joey got set and started his motion. Knowing him, he will want to finish this at-bat off at once. Using his fastball right down the middle. I started my swing as soon as the ball left his hand and timed it right. Surprisingly, the ball started to dip again. A third two-seamer?? I frowned and pointed my bat down more to get a piece of the pitch, then pulled it down the third baseline.

”Fair.” Coach called out as the grounder hit third base without going beyond the foul line.