The Hitting Zone

Bryce started the top of the fifth with a standup double to left field, cheering up our dugout right away. Noah got under the ball too much and popped up right to the shortstop.

I could already hear the grief that Dave would give him when he got back to the dugout. I gave Noah a sympathetic look as we switched places.

I chose to bat from the left side for no particular reason. But it was better for me to give both sides more equal chances and opportunities. I didn't want to get rusty on one side over the other. I kept things simple in my at bat, hitting a flare single to left field. Bryce played it safe and only advanced to third. We had Garret after us after all.

Runners at the corners and only one out. It was a good opportunity for Garret who was hitless today. He had a lineout and a fly out to right that I was able to advance on previously. Garret made solid contact once more, hitting the ball dead center. The center fielder caught it at the warning track and Bryce tagged up to score. 5-0. I stayed at first, not seeing a reason to push it for an extra base when we had a solid lead.

Jason ended our half of the inning with a fly ball to center as well. We went back to the dugout together.

"Not bad, boys." Coach addressed everyone. "I'm loving the contact. Keep it up."

We switched gears and took the field for the bottom of the fifth. Brian did his practice pitches and then the game resumed, starting with batter five. He was able to poke the ball through for a single, Golden West's first hit of the game. The next batter popped out to Jason at third for the first out.

The seventh batter hit what I thought was a routine grounder down the line, but it took a weird bounce off the dirt, hitting Jason's glove all wrong. Jason scrambled to recover, picking up the loose baseball and after taking a look around, didn't make any throws. He walked closer to the mound, lightly throwing the ball back in.

"Don't mind." Noah clapped with his glove. "Bad bounce. Nothing you can do about it."

I clapped too. I know what it was like to make an error in a game. Not a good feeling. Jason wasn't bothered though.

Hard to say whether Brian was. He walked the next batter, loading up the bases.

Mitchell called 'time' and headed for the mound. The rest of us infielders went in too.

"Sorry guys." Brian immediately apologized.

Jason laughed. "I think I should be the one saying that. We could have had turned a double play on that grounder that went haywire."

"It was an awkward bounce. Probably hit a rock." Noah shrugged. "It'll happen." He looked at Brian. "We just need you to refocus and get back to throwing strikes."

"They're putting a pinch hitter in." Mitchell nodded his head at the opposing dugout. He looked at Brian. "Don't forget we have a five-run lead. Even a grand slam won't put us in the hole. Stay calm and find my glove."

Brian nodded, rolling his shoulders back. "Alright. Yea."

We broke up and went back to our positions.

Brian tried his best to find Mitchell's glove to throw a strike, but the pinch hitter had it read. He blasted the ball to the outfield. Garret caught the ball after it bounced off the fence and threw it back in to Noah. Noah turned and threw to Mitchell at home plate. The first two runners had scored but the third was scared back to third base. The batter was safe at second, no slide needed.

"Take a deep breath." Mitchell walked the ball up to Brian. "New batter. You've dealt with him before."

Brian did a small walk off the mound and circled around before getting set again. It seemed to work as he dealt with the leadoff, getting him to strike out. His first of the game. The next batter hit a grounder Noah's way and it was dealt with no problem. 5-2. Still a decent lead.

Brian looked a little uncertain as he got back in the dugout, glancing Dave's way.

Dave ignored him. But he was also ignoring everyone else in the dugout. He was casual on the bench, examining his nails and picking at them a little.

Mitchell gave Brian a pat on the shoulder as he passed by. "Way to get out of the jam. Golden West is a good team. Especially with runners in scoring position."

Speaking of Golden West, they were in the process of another pitcher change because of their use of a pinch hitter last inning. The new guy started with Korrey, who hit a single to center, getting on for the first time this game. Sean was up next, also hitless but coming back from his strain groin. He made contact on a 2-1 count, blasting the ball out of the park. We all jumped up and started to cheer as the score got pushed to 7-2.

Sean and Korrey came back with a pair of grins. This game was nothing like our previous two against Golden West.

Mitchell hit a single to left field, prompting the Golden West coach to come out again and he straight up did another pitcher change. He obviously didn't believe his player was going to bounce back from three consecutive hits.

Brian, Bryce, and Noah were all ready to take on the fifth pitcher for Golden West. I don't think anyone expected anything better than the previous four, but the guy came out strong and fast. A little wild but he could get the ball over the plate. Brian struck out swinging and then Bryce got jammed, hitting into a double play.

"Damn. Where did they find this guy?" Noah asked as we went back to our bags together. He was left in the circle and I was in the hole. We would come up in the seventh and most likely would see this guy.

I shrugged. "There's a lot of relief guys in our bullpen too."

"Yea, but this guy looked like the best one we've seen today." Garret pointed out. "I wonder if he's supposed to be the closer."

"Put in a closer when you're down by five?" Noah shook his head. "Nah. I bet he's an underclassman or first year on varsity. Something to prove."

We speculated as we switched our gear and headed out for the bottom of the sixth with another five-run lead.