The Hitting Zone

Chapter  1133  V3 ch367 CIF Final: Branham HS (6)

Top of the fifth, bottom of Branham's batting lineup. The lefty hit a high bouncing grounder to Noah, but that was no trouble at all. Noah fielded it for the first out. The next batter smacked a ball high into left field and Logan had plenty of time to get underneath it and make the catch for the second out.

The pitcher was up to bat now. Compared to his previous at bat, this time he was putting up a battle, racking up quite a few foul balls. He finally got a piece of a fastball and it soared well over my head. I whipped my head back to see Brian racing back. He jumped for the ball and made the catch, coming down and stumbling over his own feet. But the ball stayed in the glove and that's all that matters.

I clapped my glove and headed back to the dugout with the others. Noah and I went to the cubby to change out our gear. We would both get a chance to hit this inning. Maybe more so him than me.

"That was a great catch, Brian." Coach complimented him once Brian made it back.

Brian took off his hat. "I was scared I wasn't going to get high enough."

"I would have definitely fallen on my face." I spoke up.

"And probably not make the catch either." Noah added with a laugh.

I could only nod in agreement. I didn't have that kind of flexibility physically or mentally when it came to the outfield. All my time was spent at second base.

Bryce and Noah left the dugout soon after, one going to the plate and the other to the on deck circle.

"You probably won't get a chance to hit if either of them get on." Coach noted as we watched from in the hole.

I made a face of displeasure. I was in a lose-lose situation. They get on, I'll probably get walked. They don't get on, I have nobody to drive in for an insurance run. I definitely was leaning more one way than the other.

Bryce launched a long fly ball to center however the center fielder had plenty of time to get under it to make the catch. Noah went up next and I moved to the on deck circle. Bryce came back and passed by with a frown, clearly not liking his performance today. He was 0-3 at the plate and it can't feel good especially when you were brought in specifically for your hitting power.

Noah wasn't in the best of moods either after getting jammed and grounding out to short. He was now 0-2 with a walk and a run. Not exactly screaming good day. He still gave me a fist bump as we went by one another. "Give them hell."

I nodded. This time I chose to bat right-handed, thinking I can get a hit from each side of the plate. With two outs and no runners on, the catcher stayed in his squat and the pitcher looked ready to take me on. Sure enough, they didn't think I was much of a threat like this.

This time around, I did what I wanted and played around with the pitcher and fouling off a lot of his pitches. Anything close. His pitch count really started to climb and it was satisfying. Like yea, you're better than the first guy, but I can still make you work.

After twelve pitches, I found a good one to pull down the third baseline. I ripped a line drive to my left and took off. With a glance, I saw the third baseman leap and snatch my hit out of the air, landing on his front side. He held up his gloved hand with pride and cheers erupted. Straight up robbed me of a hit.

I went back to home plate and picked up my bat as everyone went back to their respective dugouts. I looked my bat over to see if there was any damage, but none visible to the naked eye.

"I think you had a little too much fun at the plate." Coach remarked when I came back.

I cringed away, feeling guilty.

He laughed. "I'm not admonishing you, Jake. In fact, I think you did well. This pitcher has really been pinning our offense down and I'm happy that you can make him sweat. Maybe there'll be someone new next inning and we can add a few more runs."

I let out a puff of air, relieved thag Coach wasn't mad at me. "Yea." It would be tough for me to get another chance at the plate though with only an inning and a half left.

Top of the sixth, Garret was back to facing the top of the order for the third time of this game. He surprisingly gave up a lead off single, but that wasn't all. The next batter was walked. Runners on first and second, no outs. Noah waved for us to join him on the mound.

"You're looking tired, man." Noah stated, staring at the beads of sweat falling off Garret's face. "Do you have anymore gas in the tank? Or do you really want one of the twins to clean this up?"

"Sometimes I feel pity for the twins when you get like this." Garret mumbled. "They must take a lot of grief from you."

"You don't even know the half of it." Noah said with pride.

"Your pitch count is high. In the eighties at least." Mitchell stated. "You can shake me off more if you want. I know how the breaking balls can tire a pitcher out."

"Guys, it's not that serious." Garret said with a small smile. "I'm just missing a little bit off the plate. Don't worry, Coach won't leave me in if I give up one run. He knows what's best."

The home plate umpire came towards us and broke up the meeting. We dispersed and got back into position.

Garret's next two pitches made my heart pound as both went wide. 2-0. Mitchell didn't give exact position signs because of the runner on second so I didn't know if that was intentional. This batter did already have a single off Garret too so that could play a part. The next pitch went outside again, but this time the batter swung and hit with the edge of his bat. The ground ball came to me. I had the ball in my glove and looked to Noah at second to flip it to him.

But I didn't. I couldn't. Suddenly I was back in that nightmare the night of Kaylee's accident.

"Jake!" Noah yelled.

I raced to the baserunner and tagged his back and then threw to Sean at first.

"Out!"

"Out!"

Sean walked the ball to Garret on the mound to make sure the runner on third didn't try for home.

"Dude. What was that?" Noah jogged to me.

I took my glove off so I can wipe my sweaty hands on my jersey. "Just…panicked."

Noah looked at me suspiciously. There was no time though. The game had to resume.

"Two outs! Play is at first!" Noah hollered as he backed up to his position.

I rubbed the back of my neck and then put the glove back on. I shook my head, trying to forget the image of an imaginary collision. Noah was fine. He wasn't the one hurt. Kaylee was. And it was a freak accident.

Luckily, Garret was back on top of his game, mixing his sliders and cutters to get the cleanup hitter to go down swinging and leave the runner stranded.

Noah jogged right to me. "You sure you're okay? You look a little pale."

"Yea. Sorry. I just-" I was about to repeat the word again.

But Noah finished it for me. "Panicked. Yea I got that. But why? That was routine. You shouldn't have done such a risky play. If you missed the runner from first, there was a chance that everyone could have been safe."

We got back in the dugout and a lot of eyes were on us.

"Hey, it all worked out." Garret walked between us. "No need to grill him. You're just going to make him more stressed." Garret put his hand on my head. "That was still a good play. Double play executed by yourself."

"I just want to know if it's a problem that can happen again later." Noah defended. He looked me in the eyes. "I'm not mad at you Jake. I'm just trying to help."

I shrugged, helpless. "I don't know, okay? I just thought about Kaylee's accident and froze."

The dugout was a step quieter as everyone recalled her injury just last week.

"The chances of that happening ever again is nearly impossible." Noah waved his arm. "Heck, I would say it's even more likely to happen if you don't start immediately moving. Gotta be proactive. Not reactive." He slapped my shoulder. "Come on. Sit down and calm yourself."