Chapter 809 - V3 ch44 (VS Bayhill HS 4) (1/2)

Jason got jammed early in the count, hitting a short fly ball to left field. Mitchell followed it with a weak grounder to short. Two outs and we're back to the top of the lineup. Noah took some swings as he got to the batter's box. Sean moved to the on deck circle while I was in the hole with Garret right beside me.

Noah knocked his bat against his cleats before officially stepping in the box. He eyed the pitcher, holding his bat back steadily. First pitch, low and inside for a called strike. Second pitch had a similar trajectory, but Noah fouled it off for strike two. Third pitch was a high fastball; exactly what Noah was looking for. Noah made perfect contact despite it being above the strike zone. He hit a line drive that dropped way before the right fielder could get to it. A solid single.

Sean moved to the batter's box and I went to the on deck circle. The pitcher was a little restless after giving up the hit to Noah. It didn't help that Noah kept taking a big lead off of first. The pitcher did a check throw twice but couldn't get Noah. His first pitch to Sean was a ball.

He started his second pitch without doing a pickoff attempt. Noah took advantage and started sprinting to second base. The pitcher had no choice but to throw it off the plate for the catcher. The catcher caught the ball and made the big throw to second, but the tag didn't come down in time. Noah successfully stole second. He called time and got up, dusting himself off.

The pitcher wasn't in the right headspace. His third pitch to Sean went wild, hitting Sean in his butt. Hit by pitch. Sean tossed his bat back towards the dugout and jogged to first while rubbing his butt.

Before I could make a move to the batter's box, the opposing Coach came out of his dugout. He went up to the pitcher's mound with the catcher. The pitcher had to give up the baseball and went back to the dugout with his head down. A new pitcher came jogging in from their bullpen.

”Jake.” Coach called me back to the dugout.

I turned back and went over. He and Garret were both waiting for me. ”Yea?”

”Watch his warmup and tell me what you think.” Coach had lowered his voice. ”Two on, two out, I really want you to go for it, but I'm fine with just one run scored. Noah's on second so a hard hit single is the minimum.”

I kept my eyes on the new pitcher on the mound. The opposing coach had gone back to the umpire off to the side and told him of the change while the pitcher threw a few practice pitches. There wasn't anything special about his style that I could see.

”You can't really tell the speed from practice pitches.” Garret muttered.

Speed wasn't really problem for me. I watched a couple more. ”I think I can get it out of the park.”

Garret and Coach both turned to look me in the eyes.

”How positive are you?” Coach asked.

”Well...chances are, his first pitch will be a fastball. So if I aim for that...pretty positive.” I told them.

Garret let out a small laugh. ”If you believe, then I believe. Jake doesn't say things he isn't sure of.”