The Hitting Zone
chapter-1008

Top of the sixth. Jason led off with a standup double after hitting a line drive to the left field corner. The boys rattled the fence as the OLU coach came out again, announcing another pitcher change. The pitcher left with his head hung allow as a new one came jogging in from their bullpen. The coach shared a short convo with the new guy and catcher before leaving them to it. The pitcher got to throw a few pitches off the mound and then the umpire called for the game to continue.

Korrey stepped up to the plate next. Mr. Miller gave him the green light to swing freely. A lot could happen with a runner on second and no outs. A lot of opportunities to get Jason to third. Korrey made solid contact on a 1-1 count, but the line drive went straight to the first baseman for the first out. No chance for Jason to tag up to advance to third. It didn't matter though. Both Mitchell and Brian came up empty-handed in their at bats, striking out.

Bottom of the sixth we went. Brian and Mitchell were a step behind in taking the field as they were the last outs. They started back at the top of OLU's lineup. Brian came out hot, getting the leadoff guy to go down swinging; his second strikeout so far. Dave only had three in the first four innings.

The second batter made contact on Brian's fastball, hitting it up the middle for a single. With a runner on, we shifted, trying to position to turn a double play. Brian got the ball back on the mound and took an extra second before getting set. He checked over his shoulder at the runner, but only to keep an eye on him. He was going to go after the batter since we have a three run lead.

Mitchell gave the sign and Brian nodded. A fastball outside. Brian did his shorter windup with a runner on, pitching hard and fast to the designated spot. The batter had a good read on it, hitting the ball with the thickest part of his bat, sending it to deep right field. I practically held my breath as I watched Bryce chase it back. He stopped at the warning track and could only watch it go over. A two-run homer. 3-2.

The OLU players ran around to tag their bases as their team celebrated. My eyes went to Brian on the mound, who looked crushed. Mitchell walked up to the mound, as did Noah. Sean, Jason, and I all followed along.

"Sorry, guys." Brian took his hat off to wipe some sweat away.

I looked to Noah. I wasn't the only one. The other three did too. He was our vice-captain. He would know what to say to a struggling pitcher.

"Do you want to give up?" Noah asked, surprising all of us present.

Brian's head snapped to Noah's direction. "What? No."

"Then why say sorry? Sorry that we're going to win?" Noah reached out to lightly punch Brian in the chest. "We're not here to give you a hard time. Dave will probably do that on his own. I'm just here to tell you that I've got your back." He grinned. "We still have a run on these guys. And guess what? We've done all the scoring without Jake. So what are you afraid of?"

Brian straightened up. "No more hits. I can do this."

"Nah. Let them hit." Noah punched the inside of his mitt. "To me preferably. But seriously, you're not playing alone."

"Yea, we've got your back." Jason slapped Brian's back.

"Stop getting sucked into your own head." Mitchell nodded. "You keep acting like giving up runs is the end of the world."

"It could be the end of my time on the mound." Brian pointed out.

"Did Coach come out? No." Sean started to back up when we saw the ump coming. "You've got this."

"We trust you so trust us." Jason backed up too.

"Keep calm." Noah retreated.

"Don't be afraid to shake me off." Mitchell went back with the umpire to home plate.

I scratched my chin, trying to come up with something. "You're one strikeout away from tying Dave."

Brian laughed and I took that as a good sign.

With everyone back into position, Brian got set too. He was facing the cleanup hitter. He threw the first pitch for a ball. 1-0. The second pitch was fouled back. 1-1. The third pitch was hit to center field. Garret jogged in and made the catch, throwing it back to Noah. "Two outs!"

"Two outs! Play's at first!" Noah echoed, throwing the ball back to Brian.

Brian got beat by the fifth batter who hit a single to right field. However, he bounced back just fine, getting the next guy to strikeout. He seemed to let out all the tension in his shoulders and they dropped.

"Way to stick it out." Coach told him. "Cool down. Tyler will finish this game out."

Brian show a sad smile like he figured that was coming. "Okay." He avoided making eye contact with Dave and moved on.

Dave shook his head but didn't say anything.

Top of the seventh was the top of our lineup. A new pitcher was called to the mound as well. Noah and Garret did a quick equipment change and left the dugout. Bryce and I weren't too far behind, already changed and waiting in the hole.

Noah was having a pretty solid game so far. 2-3 at the plate with two runs scored. He's definitely done his job as leadoff today. Mr. Miller gave the sign to swing freely and Noah did. When he was cornered on an 0-2 count, he hit a fly ball to right field. The outfielder caught it easily for the first out. Just had too much air under it.

"You dropped your shoulder." Coach told Noah when he came back to the dugout. "You'd be better off trying to hit grounders with your speed."

"I don't want to be bunting all season." Noah joked. He went back to his bag.

Garret had a pair of doubles and an RBI for the day. Also doing his job at the plate very well. He made solid contact on a 2-2 pitch, but the shortstop was there to jump and snatch that line drive out of the air. Two outs.

Bryce went to the plate and I went to the on deck circle. One more out and I would be left stranded here, done for the game with just three walks. How lame. Definitely made me think of my early playing days last year. When Zeke would ask me to get walked and how many times I was left in the circle, not getting that one more chance.

Bryce had that important two-run double in the fifth that solidified our lead. He's been very good about getting a hit every game, but today I need him to have two. Let me have one more chance. Bryce attacked the first pitch, getting to the gap for a single.

I gripped my bat tighter as I walked to the plate. I got in the righty's box and decided to just watch the first pitch to see what they wanted to do. The catcher didn't say an intentional walk so I had to be careful of the pitcher even if it was a new guy up there.

The pitcher shook off the first sign from his catcher. Then the second. And a third shake before nodding. I didn't know what to expect, but I soon had an idea when the first pitch landed in the strike zone for a called strike. 0-1. Maybe this guy wanted to face me head on?

The catcher threw the ball back. I got set for real this time. I had to take advantage of this very next pitch if it was close. I didn't want the battery to change their mind and walk me instead. The pitcher glanced back at Bryce before getting set. He shook off the catcher twice before nodding. I swallowed a small lump in my throat, anxious. Anxious to add something to this game. The second pitch came, with a small break to it but doable. I swung for the first time today and connected, hitting the ball to the gap in right-center field. Bryce was already rounding second when the center fielder got to the ball. The center fielder threw it in and I stayed at first while Bryce slid into third.

Sean came up next. Normally with two outs and runners at the corners, one might suggest to load the bases so there could be a force out anywhere. But Sean was 0-3 at the plate today, not catching any breaks either. OLU chose to take him on, and Sean made them pay for it, hitting a flare single to left field. I made it to second while Bryce scored. 4-2. A little extra cushion for Tyler when he comes in.

I was ready for Jason to hit another double like he did in his last at bat, but the right fielder was able to catch his line drive to end our attack. That was okay though. I finally did a little something and felt better as the game was coming to a close.

Tyler came in for the bottom of the seventh and kept his hitless streak alive. Batter seven struck out swinging. Batter eight hit a pop up to me. Batter nine, another pinch hitter, hit a grounder in Noah's reach. Noah dealt with it swiftly, throwing the guy out to end the game. Everyone went to Tyler on the mound first to congratulate him. Then each other.

Dave was the only one left out, staying seated in the dugout with his ankle raised. He wasn't alone for very long though. I saw Kyle go directly to him from the bullpen instead of celebrating our win with us. Kyle said something to Dave to make him laugh and soon the pair came out together. Kyle had Dave's arm over his shoulder as he limped out of there.

Seeing the twins, most of the team approached them, trying to stop Dave from hobbling about too much.