The Hitting Zone-Novel

Chapter 1116  V3 ch350 CIF Semifinal: Gridley HS (4)

The ninth batter was the pitcher, who went down swinging at three straight fastballs. Kyle looked to be in good shape despite giving up the homer. I thought he bounced back nicely.

Back at the top of the lineup, the leadoff hitter smacked the ball hit into the air towards left field. Bryce jogged in a little bit to get under it and made the catch. We jogged back to the dugout together. With the exception of Kyle who did more of a stormy March.

Noah and I shared a look. Just when I thought he would speak up to say something, Kyle was already pointing at Dave, aggressively. "Not a word."

Dave stuck out his tongue, however he still dodged Kyle and stayed away. He wasn't the only one. Kyle sulked at the end of the bench by himself where even Mitchell didn't go over.

"You would think we're losing or something." Noah mumbled under his breath.

"I guess he's losing to his expectations?" I shrugged.

Noah nodded in agreement. "If it's not that, then it's the fact he gave up a run and Garret didn't. Man, I know we'll miss these three next year on the mound, but I certainly won't miss their attitudes."

"I'll miss them." I said, feeling a little sad about it already. We win today and there's only one game after that.

"Meh. We'll be fine with Bryce and Brian." Noah said just as Bryce went down on strikes. "Okay, not a good omen, but you know they're reliable. Heck," He lowered his voice, "you know they're good enough when Coach is starting them in the outfield."

"I didn't say they weren't." I defended. "I'll just miss having the twins around." I shrugged sadly. "I didn't get to grow up with them. You had more time."

Noah burst out laughing. "You should thank your lucky stars you didn't grow up with them. Let me tell you, my kid years were no joke. They terrorized me-" Noah stopped himself. He grimaced. "Uh sorry Jake. I didn't mean to."

I blinked, not really getting where he was getting at and was actually more interested in hearing about their childhood stories. "What?"

He winced. "Didn't mean to complain about it when you had it so tough."

"Oh. Yea. That's okay." I shrugged. "It's all in the past. Nothing I can do about it now."

"Yea, we'll give you new childhood memories." Noah told me. "When they're interviewing you in the big leagues, you'll think of us."

I laughed. "I already think of you guys." I paused. "You don't think I'll really be interviewed, right?"

"They're already interviewing you now in high school." Noah grinned. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Garret hit a single to right field, bringing our offense to life. Everyone got up and stood against the fence to cheer. Brian came up next, tacking on a single of his own and pushing Garret to third. Runners at the corners, one out, Sean was up. He hit a hard line drive into the gap, both runners made it home on his stand up double, and we were now up 6-1.

We celebrated Garret and Brian as Jason went up next. He hit a fly ball to right field that Sean was able to tag up and advanced on. But Mitchell ended our inning with a pop out to the first baseman in foul territory. It didn't damper our moods though as we took the field for the top of the fourth.

What did end the excitement was Kyle giving up a leadoff single to the second batter in the lineup. Adam then ripped a line drive similar to Sean's. The runner on first was fast enough to score, beating out the relay and Mitchell's tag. 6-2.

Noah called for time and jogged to the mound. I cringed, not really wanting to go, but couldn't be the only one not to go. Our whole infield met on the mound.

"Don't say it." Kyle said, eyes narrowing at Noah.

Noah shrugged innocently. "Say what?"

"The whole 'calm down' spiel that you usually give. I'm fine." Kyle declared. "It's just a couple hits. It sucks. Leave me alone."

"It's not that bad." Sean spoke up. "We still have a four run lead. That means you can give up three more before getting pulled out."

My lips twitched as Kyle turned his glare on Sean.

"I'm not getting pulled." Kyle declared. "I'm going to finish this game."

Noah spotted the ump walking our way. He reached out to pat Kyle on the shoulder. "Okay, sure. Finish it. Give it all you've got. I don't think you have to sacrifice so much speed for location. These guys want to swing, let them."

We had to break up the meeting with the umps prompting. I don't know how effective these small mound meetings were overall, but I do think it gives a nice break for the pitcher. Either to calm them down or pump them up. If I was a pitcher, I would need a pep talk for every batter.

Kyle faced the cleanup hitter next. He shook off Mitchell a little more, obviously trying to change the game plan. He got the guy cornered on an 0-2 count before the batter ripped a line drive to left. My head snapped to Bryce as he came in and made a diving catch. He jumped up and hurried to get the ball back in to Noah, keeping Adam at second.

"Let them swing?" Kyle asked sarcastically as Noah returned the ball.

Noah shrugged. "Don't throw a strike on an 0-2 count. Isn't that basic baseball knowledge?"

Kyle glared then huffed before turning to face Mitchell. His speed did start to pick up, but his pitches were all over. The fifth batter hit a grounder at me. I caught it, saw that Adam had long taken off for third, so I played it safe and got the out at first.

"Good job." Noah clapped with his glove. He then raised his voice. "Two outs. One to go!"

"Two outs!" The rest of us echoed.

Kyle continued with the high speed, lower accuracy and it didn't have immediate payoff just yet. He walked the next batter to have runners at the corners. A home run and he would be taken off the mound. Luckily, he came through on the very next batter, getting him to go down swinging. Only his third strikeout of the game.

We went back to the dugout to switch to offense.

"You good?" I heard Coach ask Kyle.

Kyle nodded. "Yea. We're changing things up though."

"Ok, grab a bat." Coach gave him permission to hit which was also granting him permission to continue pitching. His eyes drifted to me.

I knew what was coming. I hurried to put my hands together to plead. "One more at bat!"

Coach chuckled. "Alright. Get your bat too."

I pumped a fist excitedly and hurried to my bag.

"You getting pulled?" Noah asked, having already put his helmet on.

I shook my head. "Not yet. He said I could bat at least."

"That's good." Noah finished strapping his batting gloves on and nodded at me before leaving for the on deck circle.