Chapter 822 - V3 ch57 (VS Balboa HS 5) (2/2)

Jason cursed under his breath. ”Hopefully he doesn't blow any more close calls. Kyle needs to get this next guy out.”

Coach quit his conversation with the umpire and headed for the mound. Mitchell was trailing after him. We got closer too, standing around Kyle and Coach.

Coach shielded his mouth with his hand. ”It's a tough break, but put it behind you guys.” He looked at Noah. ”Face this batter, but don't be afraid to walk him. You know what I mean?”

I looked at Noah, not knowing what Coach meant. Maybe it's a pitcher thing? But normally, Coach hates walks. He likes to say 'there's no defense against walks' all the time.

Noah caught my questioning look and spoke up, looking at me. ”Coach wants Kyle to throw at the hard spots in the strike zone. The borders. Try it out. But first base is open so he can walk the guy if it's not working out.”

”We don't want to intentionally walk him though.” Coach added. ”The player in the batter's box now had a double off of Kyle so I don't want him to face the batter head on.”

I nodded slowly, then glanced up at Kyle.

He caught me looking at him and pushed my baseball cap down over my eyes. ”Don't worry. We won't lose the lead here. With you and Noah guarding the middle, I can rest easy that I won't be giving up anymore hits.”

My hands started to sweat. I took my glove off so I can dry my hands on my pants.

”Now you've done it.” Noah scolded Kyle. ”Can you try not to put anymore pressure on Jake?”

Sean laughed. ”No kidding. There's a reason we call him Bambi.”

Coach gave me a small slap on the back. ”You already made one great play, have some confidence.”

Somehow this meeting on the mound became a pep talk for me?

Coach left for the dugout and the rest of us got into position.

”Jake.” Noah called out to me.

I glanced at him. Noah gestured for me to get closer to second base while he shifted more away. Jason was covering third since there was still a runner over there. Sean had more freedom to stand off of first since there was no one on his base.

Kyle started his battle with the fifth batter. He kept his pitches low, getting the guy to swing and miss twice. 0-2. Kyle threw low and away. The batter had to reach to make contact. He the top part of the baseball, hitting a grounder my way. I charged the ball and made the play to first. My throw was a little off, but Sean recovered it nicely.

”Out!”

Finally. I sighed with relief.

”We got out of that one.” Noah clapped me on the shoulder as we jogged back to the dugout together.

I nodded.

”You made some great plays out there.” Garret told me when he got back inside the dugout too. ”That ump must be missing his glasses, because even I could see that the runner was out at second. Glad it didn't land us in anymore trouble.”

Yea, it was a close one. A lot of baserunners for Kyle this last inning. I looked for him in the dugout, finding him and Mitchell talking to Coach. I wonder if he's staying in or getting pulled.