Sanchez cornered Julian to an 0-2 count, then threw a third strike right down the middle and caught him looking. One out.
Mahki sauntered to the box next, not looking nervous in the slightest. Which was good, because I think I'm nervous enough for the whole team combined. I was s.h.i.+fting back and forth, trying to loosen up. I don't want to accidentally fall during such a crucial turning point in the game.
Mahki got set in the box, and Sanchez was set on the mound. Mahki fouled off the first pitch. Then the next. 0-2. My hands started to shake. Come on, Mahki. Just put it in play so I can get us on the scoreboard.
The third pitch was in the zone. Foul. Foul. Ball. Ball. 2-2. It was becoming a long at-bat. I wonder if this is how the team feels when watching me battle it out with the pitcher..?
'Ding!' The seventh pitch was blasted to the outfield.
I went back to third and kept my foot on the bag, eyes on home plate.
"Go!" Mr. Miller had let me know when to take off.
I sprinted to home. Jason, who was picking up Mahki's bat, yelled, "No slide."
I tagged home plate as the catcher stood out of the way. As I turned to look, the ball just arrived to the pitcher. Zeke had also safely tagged up and made it to third base without sliding. Two outs, only down by one now.
"Nice!" Jason patted me on the head as he moved to the batter's box.
Mahki and I went back to the dugout together. He stole most of the attention as he started to complain about his at-bat. "It really could have been a two RBI hit if that outfielder was just a second slower." He grumbled.
"Don't mind!"
"Only one away from a tie, and two away from a win."
"That's only if we don't give up anymore runs."
The conversation quickly turned to who would pitch this next inning. We could see movement in the bullpen and knew that Kyle was coming out, but Coach didn't say anything else.
I went to my bag to switch out my gear. Noah was on deck, set to hit after Jason, so I had no one to talk to. But it didn't matter. Jason struck out swinging on three pitches. It was time to start the fifth.
As we took the field, Coach came out of the dugout to speak with the umpire. He waved at the bullpen and soon Bryce came out sprinting like he was in a race. Coach and Alex met him at the mound, shared some words behind their gloves, then they left him up there. Coach returned to the dugout and Alex to his position.
Bryce looked as excited as always. He reminds me of an eager puppy, happy to show off its new tricks. He came out fast and strong against Servite's number six batter, getting him to strike out swinging.
The following batter proved to be more difficult to handle. The at-bat lasted twelve pitches before the batter smacked a single to left field. Garret fielded the ball the best he could, making sure the runner didn't go to second.
We made up for it on the next batter. He hit a grounder right at me. I made sure to catch the ball before throwing to Noah at second base. Then Noah completed the double play by throwing to Julian at first base before the batter reached.
"Smooth as silk." Noah nodded at me as we jogged to our dugout. "You're looking way more confident when fielding grounders."
I smiled. "That's because I know I can count on you to make that throw to first in time. You throw way faster than me. If you're the one that fielded the grounder, I'm sure I would fumble somewhere."
Noah just shook his head. "Don't be so pessimistic. You've come a long way." He switched out his hat and glove for a helmet and bat. He tugged on his batting gloves as he walked away.
Noah was right. In two months, my life has completely turned around. I was living as a mute in a hospital with no family and now...now everything has changed. I felt a sense of calm as the feeling washed over me. I am in a better place.
I watched as my team struggled to get anything going on the offense. Noah hit a fly ball to left, and Alex hit a short fly to right. With two outs, Bryce came out in Kyle's spot, but came back empty-handed as well. He struck out, swinging for the fences.
Top of the sixth. Everyone jogged out to the field as Servite went to their own dugout. Bryce took some extra time since he was the last out. He warmed up properly, showing some excitement. For some reason, just looking at him, I felt inspired. And pumped up. It was just a feeling of confidence and happy to be playing.
Bryce started with the number nine batter, and it didn't take long for him to hit a slow grounder to Noah. Noah sprinted forward, grabbed the ball with his right and made the throw to Julian.
"Out!" The first base umpire declared, pumping his fist.
Bryce now has to deal with the top of the lineup. The first guy went down swinging, but missed thankfully. The second batter made Bryce worked to the seventh pitch before hitting a hard grounder up the middle. It just barely missed Bryce on the mound.
I sprinted over, but Noah was coming in too. Since he had the better angle, he called me off and made the play to get the third out.
Bottom of the sixth brought up the top of our lineup as well. Garret was first up, and I hurried to change gear to be in the on deck circle. This could be my last at-bat. I held my bat tightly as I stepped back out of the dugout.