The Hitting Zone

The guys near us didn't have much time to roast me on getting out. Garret struck out to end the inning in such a short time. It's been awhile since we've gone three up, three down. Especially the core of our lineup. First time today to end the fifth inning.

Surprisingly, Coach didn't say anything about our lack of offense. He walked out with us onto the field, heading for the umpire.

I looked at Noah as we jogged to second base.

"I heard him tell Tyler that he was done for the day." Noah explained. "Matt should be coming in."

Not even ten seconds later, Matt was slowly coming out of the bullpen and started jogging to the mound. He met Coach and Mitchell at the mound, and was given the baseball.

"Matt will close out the game." Noah said confidently.

I gave a small nod. I thought so too. Matt has definitely improved from last year. Facing him a couple of times now, I could tell he has worked hard. Matt really lived up to our expectations and shut down the first three batters of the opposing team. All strikeouts.

In the dugout, everyone bumped fists with Matt.

"But can he do it again?" Dave asked.

Noah laughed. "You're just jealous because you didn't have an inning like that."

"I have many innings like that under my belt." Dave claimed proudly.

"Just not today." Noah snickered.

Dave had enough of his snide remarks and pulled him into a headlock without warning.

"Let go of him." Coach commanded as he broke the two apart. He looked around the dugout. We had a pretty light atmosphere going with this potentially being our last chance to bat. "I get that you guys are happy where we are in the game, but things can change. Finish the game strong, you hear?"

"Yes, Coach." Our dugout echoed.

Jason would lead us off this half of the inning with Korrey and Jesse following him. Jason was 0-2 today, but had one RBI. He swung and miss on the first pitch.

Coach raised his voice. "Eye on the ball, son. Your head is moving too much."

Jason nodded towards our dugout. He fouled the next pitch for strike two. Fouled the third pitch. And the fourth.

Noah nudged me. "I think he might get the first hit off this guy." Noah's premonition came true before I had a reply.

Jason got the ball over the infield and made it to first base. Korrey came up next, then came back just as quickly. He struck out swinging on three breaking balls.

"You have to be a little more patient." Coach pulled Korrey aside for a more private conversation as Jesse came up to bat. Mitchell moved to the on deck circle.

"Uhh...am I supposed to find a bat..?" Matt asked with a nervous chuckle.

The guys laughed.

Garret got up and looked where Coach was talking to Korrey. He turned to Matt. "Wait a second. If Jesse hits into a double play, Coach will probably want you to finish the game out."

Jesse smacked a line drive to left-center field, finding wide open space. Jason had a good lead off first base; add that with Jesse's great hit, and Mr. Miller waved him home. The relay throw came in from the center fielder to the shortstop, and from the shortstop to the catcher. Jason slid just under the tag, his hand brushing over home plate.

"Safe!" The umpire declared. 5-0.

Jesse stood safely on second base, taking in the cheers and claps from the parents that came. His first hit of the tournament came with an RBI and I'm sure he felt good about it.

Jason came back to the dugout, giving out high-fives and fistbumps.

"So..." Matt glanced at Garret.

Garret looked at Coach, who was done talking with Korrey. "Hey, Coach, do I need to loan Matt a bat and helmet?"

Coach looked down the dugout, eyes roaming until they stopped at a sophomore. "Porter. Get on deck."

Logan jumped up and rummaged through his bag for his batting gear. Coach turned to the other pitching coach and told him to have Marshel start warming up. Another sophomore.

"Looks like Coach is testing the kids." Matt put on his sweatshirt and sat back down, knowing he wouldn't have to go back out there.

"Kids? You're barely two years older than us." Noah rolled his eyes.

The two went back and forth as Mitchell battled with the pitcher. He fouled off what he could, even though it looked pretty ugly. He pulled a pitch down the third baseline, within reach of the third baseman. However, the third baseman was distracted by Jesse's running to third. The third baseman fumbled the baseball, losing the chance to get Jesse, so he threw it to first base. Overthrown. Jesse sprinted home and the score went 6-0.

Mitchell grinned from first base. Even though it wasn't an official hit due to the third baseman's error, there was no reason to be upset. We're winning.

Logan moved to the batter's box. Sean to the on deck circle. Noah put his helmet on and I got mine out. Logan swung and connected on the very first pitch, hitting it to the shortstop. The opposing team was able to turn the double play and get out of the inning before we could get back to the top of our lineup.

Noah and I put our helmets away.

Everyone grabbed their gloves and hit the field. Coach came out to announce another pitcher change. Marshel came running in from the bullpen, showing excitement.

"Chill." Noah mumbled. "Don't tire yourself out before you even get to the mound."

My lips twitched. "What happened to cheering for your teammates?"

Noah shrugged. "I wasn't necessarily against him. It's not like he heard me."

Coach spoke with Marshel on the mound until Mitchell came out of the dugout with his catcher's gear on. He came to the mound for a short chat before Coach headed back to the dugout. Mitchell went to his position, allowing Marshel to throw some practice pitches off the mound. Marshel looked sharp, steadily throwing in the zone.

His first opponent was the cleanup hitter, who was 1-2 for the game. The cleanup hitter came out swinging, hitting a hard grounder towards Noah. Noah had to backhand the ball, then threw across his body to beat the runner to first.

"Out."

I clapped for Noah's good play. He nodded at me and got back into position. Two more outs to go.

The fifth batter got in the box and Marshel got set.

Marshel threw another fastball in the zone. The batter made perfect contact, pulling a line drive to the left, right between Jason and Noah. Noah laid out to make the catch, landing in the dirt with the baseball in his glove.

"Out."

Our friends and family cheered as Noah got up and threw the ball to Marshel. Marshel had pursed lips, and didn't give Noah much acknowledgement.

Noah didn't seem to mind. He just dusted himself off and got back into position again.

Marshel took on the sixth batter, cornering him after a couple of foul balls. I really thought the batter was going to be able to put the ball into play, but Marshel switched things up, throwing a great curve ball that the batter completely missed.

"Out! Game!"