With no instructions, or any other ideas for that matter, I could only stand there and accept the intentional walk. The crowd clapped for us, excited to have two free passes, but only our team could feel the pressure.
"Batting fourth, Senior, playing left field, Mahki Holstrom."
Mahki stepped up to bat, pausing to take a glance at Mr. Miller's signs from the third base coaches box. He was told to watch the ball closely, and to swing if he knows he can hit. The pitcher may not have good aim after intentionally walking two batters. Mr. Miller gave out signs for me and Zeke as well: run at any sign of contact to avoid the double play.
Mahki was quickly cornered into a 0-2 count, disproving that the pitcher was shaken. He didn't look bothered at all. Mr. Miller gave a new sign: hit and run. No matter what, Mahki was going to try and put the ball into play.
I acknowledged the sign, as did Zeke. Then we both started to take a lead. I had to keep an eye on the first baseman, who stood behind me. I don't want to get picked off so soon.
The pitcher delivered a fastball, inside. Mahki made contact, but it was weak. It also went right to the shortstop. The shortstop flipped it to the second baseman, getting me out; and then he threw to first, beating Mahki. Our worst case scenario, a double play.
Among the happy West Valley fans, I could still hear ours groaning. I didn't dare to look up at them as I jogged back to the dugout.
"Okay, listen up guys." Coach gathered the team as we came back inside the dugout. "I know that it was an unprecedented surprise, but don't worry about it. Zeke and Jake aren't the only ones that can get hits. Switch gears to defense." He looked at Garret and Kelvin. "Don't save anything. You have a strong group waiting in the bullpen. Understand?"
Garret flexed his left arm as he grinned confidently. "Unlike them, I don't need to pitch around anyone."
Some of the guys laughed as Coach sent the team out to take the field. I had to hurry to switch my helmet for my hat and then grabbed my glove.
Garret really backed up his tough guy act, shutting the top of their lineup down with a looking strikeout, a swinging strikeout, and then a groundout to Noah.
Top of the second, I sat by my bag as Noah prepared for his at-bat. It moved quickly as the West Valley pitcher was able to strikeout the side. Sean, Jason, and Noah didn't stand a chance.
"It's fine, don't mind." Coach told us as we went back to defense. "We'll figure something out. It'll click. Stay steady."
Bottom of the second, Garret had to start with the cleanup hitter. It had been mentioned throughout the week how accomplished this guy was. He was comparable to me or Zeke. He was a senior looking like he was already in his 30's. He even had a scruffy beard. He could have easily been mistaken for a coach instead of a player.
Garret's first pitch to him was a cutter. He didn't wait or hesitate, choosing to swing at this first pitch instead. He ripped it to the left, but Noah was there to snatch the line drive out of the air, landing on his side. Noah jumped up, happily throwing the ball back to Garret on the mound as our fans cheered for him. It felt good to know that we won't be the only ones struggling at the plate.
Garret kept the game scoreless, getting the fifth batter to fly out to Mahki in left field, and then the next to ground out to Jason at third.
"Excellent grab, Noah!" Mr. Miller commented as we went in the dugout and he was going out.
Noah grinned. "I wouldn't mind if a few more like that came my way."
"I prefer strikeouts." Garret said as he put on his helmet. "It's just more reassuring."
Noah stuck out his tongue. "You're just salty."
"Alright boys, listen up." Coach walked to the center of the dugout so we all could hear him. "Let's try and get something going here. Kelvin, Garret, and Julian lead off; this can be great. If we can get some other people on base in front of Zeke and Jake, then they might face them head on."
"I doubt it." Garret replied honestly. "We all have to get on base for something to happen. They even took a chance and walked Jake after Zeke, even with one out and our core lineup coming up. They definitely don't see us as a challenge without Jake and Zeke."
"Then make them pay for it!" Coach demanded, showing some intensity.
"Yea!" The team chanted.
It sounded good in theory, but in reality we didn't get off to a good start as Kelvin went down swinging.
"It's okay, there's still Garret and Julian." Noah mumbled from our seat on the bench. The rest of the team seemed to have a similar thought, because there was a gasp as Garret connected on his third pitch.
It quickly turned to a groan as the shortstop fielded the ball nicely, his throw beating out Garret to first. Garret took his helmet off on his way back to the dugout, covering his face with it.
"Toughen up!"
"You'll pay him back on the mound!"
"Head up!"
Some cheers from our own bullpen, prompted Garret to uncover his face. He waved at them and came back into the dugout. "Sorry, guys…" He sighed.
"It wasn't bad." Zeke told him as he went to the on deck circle.
"Yea, at least you made contact." Jason said.
"Right! This pitcher is one of the best in the state after all." Kelvin got up and patted his shoulder. "Do you want us to apologize to you every time we don't get a hit?"
Garret but his helmet and bat away. "No, I just-" He clenched his fist. "I want this. I want to win."
"Me too!" Noah jumped up. "We all do, Garret. If Jake isn't anxious, then why are you?"
I tilted my head at him.
Noah laughed and patted me on the head. "Come on, don't look at me like that. You haven't panicked at all. You're like a calm lake."
"Yea, because the ball hasn't gone my way." I told him. I looked at Garret. "You give us confidence on the mound. Zeke said not one person does it all."
Garret gave a tight smile. "Okay, no more depressing thoughts. There's still a little over half a game to play."
