The Hitting Zone

Tanner and Korrey were there with him in seconds. Garret stayed on the grass for a beat too long. I looked to Noah to see what he was going to do.

Noah was already walking to the mound, where Dave just came off of.

I hurried to join them.

"Chances that he's hurt?" Dave was mumbling in his glove.

"100% that hurt." Noah shrugged. "Chances that he's actually injured? I wouldn't know. It didn't look too bad. He probably just needs a minute."

And a minute he took. Garret only got to his knees by the time Coach went jogging out there with the trainer that was just with Sean earlier. Korrey and Tanner gave them some space. Mitchell, Jason, and Jesse joined us on the infield grass.

"We're going to be fucked if Garret can't pitch tomorrow." Jason covered his mouth when he spoke.

I started to nod along but Noah slapping Jason on the chest with his glove made me pause. "Shut it. Don't let anyone in the bullpen hear you say that. It's nonsense like that that puts a pitcher down before he even gets on the mound. I think any of our guys would be able to keep us in the game. It's up to the rest of us to score runs to back them up."

"You're right." Jason admitted, not mad at all despite being scolded by a younger player. "That was probably just a bit dramatic of me."

Noah jerked his thumb at Dave. "We're already doing a very real example of subpar pitching on the mound while our bats are dominant."

Dave slapped his hand away. "And to think I was touched for a moment there."

Mitchell laughed. "You know he's just joking about you. You're doing great while facing such an offensive team. I doubt Kyle or Garret would be doing any better if it was swapped."

"He's lying." Noah staged whispered.

Dave bopped him on the top of his head. "Good lord. It's going to be a long season with your ego inflating."

The atmosphere lightened up. For a second. Until we saw Garret going back to the dugout with Coach and the trainer. Coach made a detour our way.

"Jesse, you play center." Coach announced. "Garret's going to sit the rest of this one out. We don't think it's serious. Just got the wind knocked out of him, but it's better to be safe. Have a closer look and give him some more time to rest before tomorrow."

"Sure." Jesse took off, running towards center where the other two outfielders still hung out.

Coach glanced back to the dugout and saw Dalton come running out. He must have told Garret who to send out. As soon as Dalton joined us, he continued. "Don't stress. You boys have a comfortable lead." He patted Dalton on the shoulder. "You already have some games under your belt, so keep it steady."

Dalton nodded, the excitement in his eyes were clear to see. Coach left after a few more words, and we split up soon after. The umpires called for the game to resume. Bottom of the fifth. Two outs. No one on.

The long pause must have thrown off Dave's rhythm. He gave up a pair of singles and then walked a batter to load the bases. Things were escalating, but Noah never made a move to the mound so I stayed in my position as well. Mitchell looked even more unsure than me, but also never came up.

Even more shockingly, with the bases loaded, Dave pegged the next batter in the back. A run came in. 9-3.

"One more chance is all you get." Garret's voice came out of our dugout.

Dave straightened up and understandably, didn't look to the dugout. He bounced back with a hard-earned strikeout to end the inning.

I was satisfied with him getting out of the jam and still having a six run lead. Not everyone felt the same though.

Especially Coach. "One more walk or hit by pitch and I'll pull you."

Dave frowned.

"You like tired out there." Coach added. "You can take a break now if you want. We have quite a few relievers that want a chance on that mound. I wouldn't mind giving it to them considering we have a healthy lead."

Dave hung his head and didn't argue. He accepted the threat and headed for his bag.

I sat with Noah on the bench. It would be unlikely that the two of us would get a chance to bat again so soon. "That was a little harsh."

"No defense against a walk." Noah said plainly. A phrase I've heard more than a time or two. And not just from him and Zeke. "If it was just a few bad singles, you can chalk it up to the team being good. Walks mean the pitcher is getting tired."

"Or that the umpire is a little tough." I shrugged. "I think you guys are being too hard on him. Those batters know how to swing at anything close. It's hard to get it by." I raised an eyebrow. "Would you scold me if I get out in my next at bat? Even though we're winning?"

Noah paused. "Well. It's different with you."

I shook my head. "I don't think it's a good feeling. You don't like being picked on either."

Noah took off his hat. "Yea." He messed with his hair before putting his hat on. "I'm going to go talk to Coach." He got up and left.

Top of sixth wasn't much. Jesse walked. Tanner struck out swinging. Jason walked. Mitchell hit into a double play.

Bottom of the sixth. Dave got back on that mound, looking tense. He started with the seventh batter. It was their pitcher spot originally, but now has had a few changes. Their coach put in another pinch hitter meaning a new pitcher will start the next inning for them. Dave got him on an inside pitch, forcing a grounder down the line. Dalton charged it and made a barehanded play, throwing the batter out at first.

The next batter had a more drawn out at bat, forcing Dave to throw more pitches. More pitches meant more errors. He ended up walking the guy. Dave put his hands on his knees and had hung his head.

Coach didn't make a move like he said he would though. I looked to Noah.

Noah clapped with his glove. "Alright. It's fine. Let's get this double play."

Dave slowly straightened up and looked around. Seeing that Coach wasn't coming out of the dugout, Dave looked surprised but it soon changed to determination. He shut down the number nine batter with a swinging strikeout. The lead off guy got jammed too, barely poking a grounder on the grass. It was more like a bunt. Dave charged off the mound, picked the ball off of the grass, and made a rough throw to Jason at first.

"Out!" Inning over.

"Thanks Coach." Dave said immediately upon entering the dugout.

Coach glanced at Alisha. "Tell him what he's got left."

Alisha looked apologetic. "Twelve pitches left allowed."

"Dang. You're nearly at a hundred." Jason whistled.

"Can you finish it?" Coach looked directly at Dave.

Dave nodded. "I'll give it my best shot. Strikes only." He looked around at the fielders coming in. "I'll be counting on you guys to get the outs."