Chapter 819 - V3 ch54 (VS Balboa HS 2) (1/2)
Game three of the tournament.
”Win here and we are automatically put into the semis.” Coach reminded us as we put on our cleats. The time had come for us to prepare to warmup again as the other game before us came to an end. ”Kyle will get the start, but I want the bullpen to pay attention to the pace of game. Even though Kyle is one of our best pitchers, you have to be prepared for anything.”
Coach then announced the lineup.
1 1B Sean Isner
2 SS Noah Atkins
3 2B Jake Atkins
4 LF Jesse Shipman
5 CF Garret Knudsen
6 3B Jason Morris
7 RF Korrey Alvarrez
8 C Mitchell Torres
9 P Kyle Atkins
We warmed up off to the side until the game finished, then we moved our gear and equipment to the third base dugout. We were going to bat second and take the field first.
”Do you guys think it's strange that Coach put Jesse between Jake and Garret?” Jason asked me and Noah as the three of us stood near second base, practicing some fielding with Sean at first.
Noah shook his head. ”Not too weird. Coach likes to keep up with the changes. Jesse had a good double in the first game. Now, it would be weird if Coach kept him there for multiple games.”
Jason looked at me. ”What do you think?”
I shrugged. I'm not thinking about it at all.
”Why do you even care?” Noah asked Jason. He smirked. ”Is it because you got pushed down a spot in the lineup?”
Jason rolled his eyes. ”I just feel like Garret batting behind Jake is the best option. If Jake gets walked, we have another valued hitter coming up right after.”
Noah gave him a slap on the back. ”Worry about yourself. It's not like we can change Coach's mind. It's already set.”
”Yea, I guess so.”
Baseballs were thrown back towards the dugout as Kyle finished his warmup pitches on the mound. Mitchell did a check throw to me at second and I pretended to tag the imaginary runner. I tossed the ball to Jason and he threw it to Noah.
Noah lightly underhanded the ball back to Kyle on the mound. ”You've got this, Ky.”
Kyle nodded and we all got set in our positions. Kyle came out strong and fast, getting the first batter of the game to strike out, swinging.