The Hitting Zone

"We're making contact, boys!" Garret clapped his hands. "Keep your heads up." He picked his glove up and was the first to head out. We followed, not that far behind.

There was a slight delay since Mitchell was the last out. He needed extra time to get his gear back on. Dave did his practice pitches with Dalton who simply wore a mask. It worked until Mitchell was ready. Then he took over to catch a few before the top of the sixth started.

Dave was starting his third time around their lineup. The first guy slapped a hard hit line drive over my head on a 2-1 count. I whipped my head back to watch Garret come sprinting in and laying out to make the catch. Brian came jogging over to check on him as he was slow to get up. Garret handed the ball to Brian and it was him who threw the ball back in to me. I caught it and transitioned to throw to Dave on the mound.

Dave kept an eye out in center until the two separated and headed back to their respective positions. Seeing them break up, he got back on the mound. Batter two was someone new since the previous guy got ejected. Dave cornered him quick to 0-2, but when he threw his splitter, the guy made contact, blasting it to right center. It bounced in the gap and rolled to the fence. Garret and Brian were both racing for it.

I went out to be cutoff, but Brian, who got to the ball first, threw it straight to Noah covering second. The tag came down as the runner slid in to the base.

"Safe!" The umpire extended his arms.

A mix of groans and cheers rang throughout.

Noah called time and walked the ball up to Dave. He said maybe a sentence or two before handing it over and walking back to his position. Dave got set for the next guy. We all did. This batter had the first hit of the game and the first run scored. He was a playmaker.

Dave worked it to a 2-2 count before giving up a bloop single to left. The runner advanced to third. Runners at the corner with one out. We needed a double play.

Regrettably, we didn't get it. Cleanup hit a deep fly to center. Garret was able to make the catch on the warning track, but there was simply no play at the plate. The runner from third was able to tag up and score with ease. 2-2. I audibly heard Dave's curse. I glanced at Noah, yet he stayed where he was. Mitchell didn't make a move either. They just let Dave face it on his own. A runner on first, with two outs now.

The next guy up previously had the RBI double. I was feeling nervous for Dave, automatically thinking that things could get worse. But Dave got him to groundout right to Sean. Sean scooped the ball up and waved us off as he ran it to first by himself. With the third out called, we started to jog it in. Except for Dave. He slowly walked back, not in a hurry despite being first up to bat in the bottom of the sixth.

Just as I was thinking of what to say, Korrey came out with his helmet on and bat in hand. He moved to space and started to take practice swings. No doubt, the writing was on the wall. Dave was done for the day and Korrey would pinch hit for him.

"You did well, Dave." Coach said.

Dave let out a heavy sigh. "You're lying to me, Coach. We both know I wasn't at my best."

"You held them to two and kept us in the game." Coach said. "That's more than enough."

"Yea, you can cry about your lack of strikeouts later." Garret laughed as he got into the dugout after coming in from center field.

"And you can cry about your lack of hits." Dave shot back.

"Let's save the retorts for after the game." Coach ushered them along. "Noah, Jake." He stopped near us as we got ready to bat too. "We're at an important crossroad right now. They're sending Cody Peace back in for another inning. I've already told Korrey to be prepared. We all have to make the most of it before they bring in that other good sophomore."

"I'll do whatever it takes, Coach." Noah grinned.

I could only nod along even though I had a feeling that this guy might not face me after the home run.

It was like Coach could read my mind because he addressed it right away. "If the two of them get out and they decide to walk you, you're going to steal."

I made a face.

"Don't give me that." Coach looked me in the eyes. "I'm serious, Jake."

"No offense, Coach. But they might try to pick me off like the last time we played them." I pointed out.

Coach pursed his lips. "You get picked off this inning and you can expect to run a lot tomorrow."

Noah laughed. "Stop scaring him, Coach. You know he can't take a joke." He slapped me on the shoulder. "Just do your best, Jake. In whatever it is." He left to go out to the on deck circle.

Coach reached out and rested his hand on top of my helmet. "Just like Dave, you've done your part. The only reason we have a pair of runs is thanks to you. If you get out, then you're out." He let go. "If you do anything else, you're helping the team. Simple as that."

I nodded.

Coach went to go talk to Garret and I moved to the hole spot near the entrance. Sure enough, Cody was finishing up his practice pitches. He had enough gas in the tank for another inning apparently. The umpire called for balls back and for Korrey to step into the batter's box. The bottom of the sixth was about to begin.