The Hitting Zone
chapter-836

It wasn't the best thing that could have happened; I would have really preferred to see Garret's grand slam. But we'll take it. A one run lead in a championship game is a good start. We also still have runners at the corners and only one out as Jason came up to bat.

As he was high-fiving Noah and Garret, the coach for Stuart Hall came out of the dugout and called for a time out so he could go speak to his pitcher on the mound. The catcher went up to join them, and it wasn't long before he waved the infielders in to join them.

I looked to Coach Luis who was just beside me.

Coach Luis got closer and lowered his voice. "They'll probably keep the pitcher in, but have someone else starting to warm up. Might be telling the infielders to try for the double play in case Jason puts the ball into play."

I nodded. This pitcher was good. It'd be weird if they took him out just because he gave up one run. Heck, he has only given up one hit and that was to Sean just before me.

The umpire had to approach the mound to break up the team meeting taking place. Their coach went back to his dugout while the rest of the players got back into position. The pitcher got set as Jason stepped up to the plate.

I took a small lead off first base. The first baseman wasn't holding me to the bag as he himself was positioned a little further out. It was the third baseman that was playing close to his base, trying to keep Sean on the actual base. The pitcher attempted to pick him off, completely ignoring me.

I inched a little further out, trying to be a little more courageous. The pitcher could try to throw my way, but I wouldn't put it past Sean to try to steal home. But this team wasn't fooled. To be this good, they had to have the experience. The pitcher kept his attention on Sean at third and Jason at home. I wasn't even part of the equation.

Mr. Miller gave out a few signs, only to indicate that Jason could swing freely and for us runners to be ready to go. Had to be wary of pop flys.

The pitcher got set and started his motion, throwing a fastball towards home plate. Jason swung and missed for strike one. Then it was another check throw to third. The second pitch was another fastball and another strike. Jason was having trouble keeping up.

0-2 count again. Chances are...it's going to be a curve.

I clenched my fists and tried to further my lead. If he did throw a curve in the dirt like before, I could make a run for second base even if Jason strikes out.

The pitcher got set, went through his motion, and threw his third pitch. A fastball! Jason swung...still late, but at least he got a piece of it.

"Come back!" I heard Coach Luis call out to me.

I sprinted back to first base and kept a foot on the bag as I watched the fly ball go to the right field corner. The right fielder made the catch right before the foul line.

"Go!"

I took off for second base. As soon as I was in diving distance, I went for it. Not because I wanted to, but because I had a feeling that I needed to. Just as I was sliding over the base, stopping on my stomach, I felt the tag come down on my backside. That was close!

"Safe!"

I looked back at home plate and saw Sean slapping hands with Jason. He had scored and Jason would be credited with a sacrifice fly. 2-0. Our team and the fans clapped and cheered for the duo as they went back into the dugout.

After the ball was thrown back to the pitcher, I got up and dusted myself off, keeping my feet on the base. At least until the second baseman and shortstop started to move back to their usual positions.

Two outs, Bryce stepped up to the batter's box, taking some heavy practice swings. Mr. Miller gave the sign for him to hit and for me to go on contact. With the two outs, and our small lead, I didn't have to worry about any running errors. Just try my hardest to go home. Feeling more confident, I stretched my lead off of second base a little more.

The pitcher looked at me and took a step off the rubber. I rushed back to second. I could hear a couple of laughs from nearby and even a few from the stands. My face started to heat up as I glanced back to the mound. The pitcher stood there, ball in hand, and a smirk on his face.

Okay, so I fell for a bad fake. Better to be safe than sorry. I had to repeat that to myself a couple of times before coming off the bag again for a small lead.

The pitcher turned back to home plate, not bothering to mess with me anymore. I obviously wasn't a threat with my small lead. And he still had the speed to take on Bryce to get that third out. I took a deep breath and stretched my lead two more steps.

The pitcher got set, did a full windup, then threw his fastest pitch of the game. In a blink of an eye, Bryce sent it back the way it came. The sound off his bat echoed in my ears as I started my sprint. Mr. Miller waved me on fully, at least hinting to me that Bryce really did get a hit. It might be a play at home.

I did my best to pick up the pace as I rounded third. The catcher stood ready to receive the ball. Just beyond him was Korrey. He was gesturing for me to slide.

"It's coming in!"

"Go down!"

"Slide, Jake, slide!"

Everyone was speaking all at once the closer I got to the plate. From the corner of my eye, I could tell that the baseball was coming in faster than me. When I got close, I started my slide, feet first. The catcher caught the baseball and his glove came down on me as I felt the smoothness of home plate underneath me.

"Safe!" The umpire declared.

I grinned and got up slowly, doing my best to avoid the catcher. I took one step and my ankle almost gave out under me.

Korrey steadied me and asked with concern, "You good?"

"Yea." I shook my leg out and felt some pain. I waved him off and walked back to the dugout alone. Mitch reached me next since he was standing in the on deck circle. I tried to wave him off too, but he didn't listen. He just lifted me a little to lessen the pressure off my ankle. Once inside the dugout, he had to leave. Which was fine because Noah, Garret, and Coach had me surrounded immediately.

Noah helped me sit down. "How is it?"

I lifted my leg onto the bench and slowly rolled my ankle joint. "Not bad. Just a bit of pain from sliding in like that."