Jesse had been struggling for awhile now. I knew he had won Defensive MVP for the JV team from the banquet last year so he has superior fielding skills, but he hasn't adjusted to the varsity level pitching. Or so I thought. On a 2-2 count, he made perfect contact. The ball soared over the infield, the outfield, then finally the fence. A home run!
I hurried home and waited for him. He stepped on home and we high-fived.
"Finally!" He exclaimed with relief. Back in the dugout, he was greeted by a lot of slaps and compliments. Especially from the other seniors on the team.
Tanner struck out to end the inning. Top of the third was kept simple by Joey's strong start. Groundout to Noah. Swinging strikeout. Single from the leadoff guy in the lineup. Followed by another swinging strikeout.
"Finally averaging more than one strikeout an inning." Dave joked with the Junior. "Now you're getting on our level."
Joey rolled his eyes and headed for his bag. There was a good chance he would come up to bat this inning.
Mitchell had to hurry to get his catcher gear off and then rushed out to the batter's box.
Noah shook his head lightly as he put his glove away. He would get to bat this inning for sure. "Mitch needs to stop pressuring himself like that. The umpire isn't timing him or anything. Might as well take the time to get your gear off and get into the mindset to switch to offense."
"I'll have to talk to him." Coach said, eyes on Mitchell as he swung and missed the first pitch. "You can see it in his stance. He's not ready."
"He's eager for another hit." Jason shrugged. "I relate."
"Same." Noah sighed. "But he's simply rushing to go from catcher to hitter when he doesn't have to."
"It's not like he bats leadoff every time." Joey defended. "And you don't know if..." Joey let his sentence trail off and die after hearing Mitchell strikeout on three pitches.
Coach patted Joey's shoulder. "He's not in trouble. Don't worry, it's my job to guide him and help him find the right mindset." His eyes drifted to Noah.
Noah picked up his bat and started to leave. "Welp, I'm going to be on deck. Coach knows best."
Coach snorted at Noah's back. He glanced my way suddenly. "Don't listen to everything Noah says. He has good knowledge of the game, but not of being a Coach."
I simply nodded. I thought Coach really knew best. Noah does know a lot too, but I just think everyone on varsity knows a lot compared to me.
Coach went up to Mitchell as soon as he came back. The two spoke quietly. Coach subtley reminding us that we weren't welcomed in this discussion. Which was alright. Everyone shifted their focus on the field, cheering for Logan.
Especially Joey. "Get on base! Whatever it takes!"
Dave nudged him. "What do you mean whatever it takes? We're winning dude."
"Aren't we trying to mercy-rule them?" Joey's eyes drifted my way.
I pretended not to hear him.
"So what if we are?" Dave shook his head. "It's only the third inning. Even if we made it to ten now, you still have to pitch five innings. Do you really want a called game that bad?"
"It'd be his first." Kyle laughed and came over, slapping Joey on the shoulder. "If I were you, I'd be more concerned about keeping that shutout. You don't want to be like Bryce and regretting your poor ERA."
My lips twitched as I kept my eyes on the at bat. Kyle was taking shots at a player that couldn't defend himself. Bryce was in the bullpen with most of the other pitchers. Plus, Bryce was more sad about the grief he had gotten for giving up that one run instead of actually giving up the run. Especially with the twins and Garret bringing it up every chance they got.
Logan earned a walk. Noah moved to the batter's box. And Joey was able to escape the twins, moving to the on deck circle.
No one stayed in those spots for long. Noah hopped on the first pitch, hitting the ball to right field. Logan already had a head start, sprinting with all his might. Mr. Miller waved him on, trying for third. Him and the ball were both coming into third. The third baseman caught the ball and Logan started his slide. The tag came down and it was close.
"Safe!" The umpire called out.
"To second!"
"Two! Two!"
The third baseman didn't have time to argue with the umpire and hurried to throw to second base. Noah had decided to go for second when they had done the relay to third. He slid into the bag while the second baseman cut off the ball early and faked a throw to home, making Logan go back to third.
Our dugout went wild, cheering for the pair. I pulled my helmet on tighter and grabbed my bat. I was on deck behind Joey.
"Do you think they'll walk Joey?"
"And try for the double play? No way."
"Not with Jake on deck."
The team discussed what Modoc might do, but after a short mound meeting, they decided to face Joey. Maybe because I was behind him. Or maybe because he was a pitcher in the nine spot. Either way, Joey made them pay for it. He connected on a 1-1 count, sending the ball well beyond the outfield, clearing the fence easily. A three-run home run!
Logan was the first to touch home, grabbing Joey's bat. He shot me a look that I couldn't decipher. It barely crossed my mind as Noah was the next one to touch the plate and grinned my way.
"You aren't the only one getting better."
I grinned back. I felt it. Our whole team was better. Even compared to last year with the old seniors of Zeke, Mahki, and Julian.
Joey touched home to make the score 10-0. Fist bumps, high fives, slaps on the back...it was like we won already.
Modoc's coach called for a pitcher change and went to the mound.
I backtracked where Sean was, closer to the dugout.
"Come here for a second." Coach called out to us two. We took a few more steps back and Coach leaned out. He covered his mouth and spoke in a low tone. "Both of you will do your best to swing for the fences."
I looked at him, surprised. "You want me to try for another home run?" In a game that we're already winning? That doesn't sound like Coach. He's usually more likely to pull me out to give someone else a shot.
"You specifically try for one in center field." Coach told me.
I was even more taken aback. "That's a bit too far. I can't guarantee something like that."
Coach let out a small chuckle. "I don't expect you to. But now is a good chance to see what you can do against live pitching. See if your power is catching up to the rest of you."
"What if I get out?" I asked.
Coach laughed even harder. As did Sean. "Then you're human."