The Hitting Zone
chapter-497

With the keys in hand, Zeke turned away, heading back to the bus to tell our coach.

Noah smiled at the other two. "Have a good talk! Don't forget to cheer for us when the game starts."

"Have fun out there." Rhys grinned and waved for him to go.

I followed Noah back to the bus, where our team started to unload. Those that had wandered off were called back. When everyone was ready, Zeke led the way to the club room. It was clean and cleared for us to use. Similar to ours, but bigger. Way bigger.

The team spread out and started to change into their pregame gear. I was already dressed under my sweatshirt so I just had to get my cleats on. When everyone was ready, Zeke led us to the dugout so we could put our bags down and organize our gear. Noah and I picked the end of the dugout and were the first ones to step out.

"Wow. This. Is. Amazing." Noah breathed, taking a look around at the empty stands. "In an hour, the stands will start to fill up. I hope it fills up to the brim."

I gulped and looked around. "Do you think that'll really happen?"

Noah nodded confidently. "Besides our school, their school, and all the families; there'll also be scouts, college coaches, and other baseball players that will want to watch. This. Is. A. Big. Deal." He glanced at me and saw me shiver. He laughed and threw an arm around my shoulders. "Don't be so scared. This is a once in a lifetime experience. No matter what, it'll be fun."

I loosened up.

He tilted his head. "You know...I think you got a little taller!"

"Really?" I looked up to him and tried to see if the difference between us was shrinking.

Noah grinned. "Would I lie to you?"

I grinned.

***

Zeke led us through warmups, then we split up into groups with pitchers going to the bullpen, outfielders to batting practice, and infielders to drills. Then the infielder and outfielders switched. As we got closer to game time, I watched as the stands started to fill up.

Ten minutes until game time, both teams went back to their respective dugouts as the ground crew reset the infield and prepared the mound.

After Garret and Kelvin came jogging in from the bullpen, Coach spoke up. "I'm proud of you boys. It's been an incredible season. We fought through injuries. We had to hold midseason tryouts." He looked at me and Noah. "And for the first time ever, I allowed two freshmen on the team." He smiled. "You boys really stood up and took charge. Now, I just want to know, can you do it for one more game?"

"Yes!!" Noah yelled.

Coach looked at all of us. "Why am I only hearing Noah?"

"Yes, Coach!" The team said in unison.

He nodded. "Good. Glad to hear it. Now, for the lineup:

1 1B Julian Wilson

2 CF Zeke Atkins

3 2B Jake Hollander

4 LF Mahki Holstrom

5 RF Sean Isner

6 3B Jason Morris

7 SS Noah Atkins

8 C Kelvin Bender

9 P Garret Knudsen

The team was stunned into silence.

"Coach...I'm cleanup?" Mahki was the first to speak up.

Coach nodded. Then shook his head. "Yes, but no. You are in the number four spot, but I'm hoping that it won't be up to you. Try not to stress about it. It's just a batting number." He looked around at the rest of us. "I made some changes."

"No kidding."

"Zeke is batting second?"

"More concerning, Jake is behind him?"

"Yes." Coach clapped his hands to get the team's attention. "Last game, we were almost cornered when they chose to intentionally walk Zeke. I can't say for sure that it won't happen again. Here." He looked around. "Why can't Jake hit after Zeke? He has a higher batting average. Don't forget, we don't know if they'll pitch to Zeke. If we get a free man on base, I want us to be able to punish them for it. If Jake can place the ball well into the outfield, Zeke can leg it home." He smiled. "After all, this is a bigger field than what we're used to."

"So there's going to be a lot of pressure on the pitcher to not give up any hits." Noah grinned back at Garret. "Try and keep it in the infield."

Garret laughed. "I think you scared Bambi more than you meant to."

Noah whipped his head to me. I tried shaking my hands to stop the tremors.

"Way to go, Noah."

"Are you trying to jinx us?"

"I feel sick."

"Me too."

"Okay, that's enough." Zeke spoke up. He rested his hand on Noah's head. "Try to stop talking smack for one whole game please. We need everyone to do their best." He looked around. "It's not just one person's job to win games. It's a team effort. Let's go out there, and give every ounce of effort you can squeeze out. I want to return to school with the trophy."

"Yeah!!" The guys all yelled and cheered.

"Get ready." Zeke ordered.

We had to bat first as the visiting team, so the top of the lineup had to get their batting gear on. Including me. I went to my bag and put on my helmet.

"Jake?" Noah asked as I got my bat out. "You good?"

I nodded. "Sure. Like Zeke said, it's a team effort." I smiled at him. "So if the ball comes right up the middle, I'm counting on you to make that play."

Noah laughed. "Of course!"

The announcer over the speaker system turned on. "Welcome to Klein Filed at Sunken Diamond. Today's CIF Finals of the Northern Section Division Three, will be Watsonville High School against West Valley Preparatory." He went on to announce the West Valley players as they took the field.

With my bat in hand, I moved to the dugout entrance closest to home plate. Julian and Zeke were already out of the dugout, preparing for their at-bats.

"Now batting for Watsonville, Senior, first baseman, Julian Wilson." The announcer introduced.

Julian went us amidst some cheers from our side of the stands. The pitcher on the mound made short work of him, getting Julian to swing and miss on all three pitches.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. That's right. This is the finals. There wouldn't be a 'bad' pitcher. Everyone would be on a higher level. I made a move to go to the on deck circle.

"Stay calm, Jake." Julian told me as he jogged back. "You can handle him."

I nodded, happy with the reassurance.

"Batting second, Senior, playing in center field, Zeke Atkins." The crowd was much louder for him than for Julian. But, as Coach predicted, the other team had no intention to pitch to him. The catcher stood up and caught the four balls way outside the zone. Zeke tossed his bat back towards the dugout and jogged to first base.

"Batting third, freshman, second baseman, Jake Hollander."

I flinched at the announcement and could hear some laughs from the stands. The claps and cheers from those behind me, helped me get to the batter's box. I tried getting myself to relax, but it became hard to do as I saw the catcher out stretching his hand away from me.

I looked the pitcher. He got set and threw a lob way outside. They...they were going to walk me? Just like Zeke? Was this planned? What do I do now? I looked to the dugout for help.

Coach had his arms folded in front of his chest, looking as tense as I felt. He didn't think this would happen either.