Bottom of the second. Jesse led off, making contact early, a routine grounder to short for the first out.
"He's been struggling at the plate." Noah mumbled under his breath so only I could hear. "He needs to hit the cages."
I shrugged. "Coach knows what to do."
"Yea, bringing in Bryce to play in the outfield." Noah gave me a pointed look. That really was one of the answers Coach came up with for the struggling parts of the lineup. Bryce didn't seem to mind though; he's a good fielder and his bat has been consistent lately.
Sean was up next. He fouled off a couple pitches before catching up with one, hitting it to center field for a short single. With him on first, Mitchell came up next. He was a catcher that focused a lot on calling games, but he could still hit. Just not lately against the better teams we played. Mr. Miller gave out the signs; Sean to take a big lead, look for chances to steal. Mitchell to only swing on really good looking pitches.
Sean was definitely in the top half of the team of being fast. He willingly took a big lead, prompting the pitcher to do a check throw and he had to dive back.
Noah, who had gotten ready for his at bat, got up to get a better view. "You've got this, Sean!"
The pitcher got set again and Sean started taking his lead once more. Sean jumped further out when the pitcher went to throw his pitch. The pitcher must have wanted to change his pitch last minute but somehow tossed an easy one for Mitchell to crush. Sean took off. The ball soared to right-center field, hitting off the fence. Sean was rounding the bases with speed and Mr. Miller was waving him home as the center fielder threw the ball in. The second baseman relayed it to the catcher at home, but Sean beat the tag by two seconds. 2-0. Mitchell stood on second with a grin.
Kyle went out to the plate, patting Sean on the shoulder. Probably saying something like 'nice run.' Noah went out to the on deck circle, and Bryce was in the hole. I was itching to put my helmet on too.
"Great baserunning." Garret complimented Sean, welcoming him back to the dugout.
"Can't let Noah have all the limelight." Sean laughed.
With a two run lead, our dugout wasn't stressed at all. Even when Kyle struck out swinging and then Noah's line drive was caught by the right fielder, no one felt down on themselves.
Top of the third. Kyle and Noah, the last two outs of our offense, did all the work. Batter seven hit a grounder to Noah's right. He made the stop across his body and got the throw off in time. Batter eight hit a high pop up that didn't even leave the infield grass. Noah called for it first, eyes on the ball the whole time before making the catch. Batter nine was the pitcher and Kyle got him to go down swinging to return the favor. Three up, three down. Bottom of the third we go.
"Redwood must have lost a lot of seniors last year." Noah commented as I changed out my gear. "One time through their lineup and I'm not impressed. Kyle is going to crush these guys."
I nodded in agreement. "It's hard to believe that these guys scored more than a few runs off of Garret."
"Bet Garret wishes he pitched against them instead." Noah laughed.
"I'll do just fine on Saturday." Garret overheard Noah. "Unlike your brothers, I'm not holding grudges. It's a new year, new team, and a new me. I'll do my best no matter who it is."
"Yea, but doesn't it drive you to do better? Just a little?" Noah grinned.
Garret rolled his eyes. "The twins chasing after me is enough motivation. Trust me."
.comno/vel//bi/n[./]net'
I nodded along. I trusted him. The twins were not only vengeful against old losses, but they were always trying to compare and beat Garret. Heck, I'm pretty positive that Kyle will rub it in that he's had five strikeouts so far after going through the lineup once. He's averaging more than one an inning so that stat will be shining like the sun.
I couldn't listen anymore as it was time for me to get out to the on deck circle. Bryce was already out there, taking some practice swings while watching the pitcher. He was soon called up to bat by the umpire. Bryce got to a beneficial 2-0 count before making contact and pulling a pitch down the line. The third baseman made a spectacular diving stop. Jumped to his feet and just barely threw out Bryce at first.
"Almost." I told him on his way back.
"I was just a half of a second slower." He shook his head. "Noah could have beaten that out."
pαпᵈα-noνɐ1·сoМ I laughed and headed for the batter's box. Even Bryce was comparing himself to a teammate. It's probably inevitable. We play together every day. We know who's good and who might be in a slump.
I chose to be a lefty this time. No one on and only one out. I was curious what this pitcher might want to do. The catcher stayed in his squat and the pitcher got set after nodding at the sign. The first pitch caught the outside of the zone for a called strike. It was really interesting which teams decided to face me like Golden West and others avoided me like OLU. Servite was kind of a mix. They had targeted me when I was on first to pick me off. Every team was unique in strategy. I couldn't tell you what Redwood was trying to do beyond this pitcher trying his best. He threw another borderline pitch that went my way for a ball. 1-1. His third pitch was closer. A good spot. I couldn't help myself. I swung fast and hit the ball far, going the opposite way to the left field corner. I dropped the bat and took off. Rounding first, the ball finished its ride over the fence for a home run. 3-0. My first since the Foothill Classic.
I grinned as I tagged the bases, slapping hands with Mr. Miller near third, with Garret near home plate, and Jason at the dugout entrance.
Coach grinned. "Good speed on that swing. I wish we could measure exit velocity."
I didn't know what that meant so I just nodded and made my way through the dugout, accepting compliments and smiles from the team.
"You've still got it!" Noah grinned as he slapped me on the back.
I took my helmet off and smiled back. "It helps that he wanted to face me head on. I like straightforward teams like this."
Noah laughed. "Doesn't everybody?" He got serious. "They probably already lost some league games and know that they aren't in the running for league champs. Maybe let their pitchers try to face you for their own experience?"
I shrugged. "Maybe." We've never been in a position where we were losing games and didn't have a hope for the season. I couldn't comment on what that felt like or what coaches would do in a situation like that.