"Jake, wait a minute." Coach told me, halting me from going to the on deck circle.
We were about to start the top of the eighth inning and Zeke was already out there taking practice swings. I had rushed to grab my helmet and bat as well, feeling the need to get some practice swings too.
"Yes, Coach?" I felt nervous looking up at him, scared that he might bench me or something.
"This is going to sound a little too demanding, but hear me out. We need a homerun." Coach stated.
"I've never hit one before…" I was confused as to what he was trying to say. "Are you putting in a pinch hitter for me?"
"No!" His shout got the attention of some of my teammates so he lowered his voice and then lowered himself so we were eye level. "No way. I want you to do it. You're the best batter on this team. I know you think you don't have a lot of power, but you've been training all season. Have you ever really tried for a homerun?"
I shook my head. "I usually aim for gaps."
"And that works." He told me. "But this is clutch time. Do you know what that means?"
I shook my head again.
"This is the time you have to go up against all odds and change the outcome of this game." He said quietly. He glanced to the field where the game had restarted and Zeke was in the batter's box. "Look. They're going to walk him again. You know why? Because Zeke is a clutch player. He's not just good, but he's excellent under pressure." He looked me in the eye. "I don't believe that they'll walk you."
"Even though I've already gotten a hit off this guy?"
"They don't believe you can change the outcome of this game. At most, they think you can hit a double again, and maybe they'll try to throw Zeke out at home. They don't believe anyone else will get a hit and that's why they've been pitching to the rest of the team. To them, Garret's homerun was probably a fluke. An ill-decided pitch with bad location." He saw that Zeke was given his fourth intentional ball. "Go out there and aim for the fences, okay?? Put all you have into one swing and aim high." He patted me on the back, sending me out of the dugout.
I stepped out of the dugout and slowly walked to the batter's box. Out of habit I went around the catcher and ump to go to the left side, but quickly backtracked. I heard a few laughs and blushed; I couldn't tell if they were laughing at me or with me. Nonetheless, I was embarrassed.
The catcher stayed in a squat position behind the plate, clearly not going to intentionally walk me. Like Coach said, they don't think I'm a threat. I got set and faced the pitcher as he nodded at the catcher's signs.
I tried to calm my breathing. I had to hit the ball perfectly. Coach said I was stronger, and I feel it, I really do, but…would it be enough?
The pitcher started his motion after checking on Zeke's lead on first. The ball came fast. Almost faster than before, it felt like. Even so…the ball was coming right down the middle. They didn't fear me at all. I swung my fastest, connecting, and then pulled the pitch down the left field line.
The crowd gasped.
I dropped the bat and sprinted to first, keeping an eye on Zeke's take off. I rounded first and was able to watch my own ball just barely sneak over the wall. It's definitely the minimum distance required for a homerun, but hey! A homerun is a homerun! I jumped up on my way to second base, slowing down just a little. Excitement ran through my veins like a drug, making my heart pound out of my chest.
I rounded second, slapped Mr. Miller's hand as I rounded third, and then tagged home plate. 5-3! For the first time this game, we have the lead!
Zeke threw his arm around my shoulders and guided me back to the dugout where our teammates were ready to pounce on us. That sobered me up quick. I didn't want to be pushed around or held onto or stuck in the middle of the lot of them. I tried slowing down, but Zeke wasn't having it.
He pushed me into the dugout. "Guys! It's too soon to celebrate. Keep calm and play on."
Noah didn't stop like the rest. He tackled me, knocking me into Zeke. "You did it! You're amazing! On the very first pitch too! Crazy!" He bounced around like a pinball, not listening to Zeke at all.
I didn't care though. He made me laugh and feel more relaxed as all eyes were on me. "Yea, we have the lead now."
"Dave." Coach called him back from the on deck circle. "Come back and take a seat. With us having the lead, James will go in to close it out. Tanner. Go bat for Dave."
Tanner rushed for his bag to grab his helmet and stuff before rushing out.
"Jake, good work." Coach smiled down at me. Then he looked up at the rest of the team. "Like Zeke said, it's not over yet. Also, don't pounce on Jake. He doesn't like it."
"How about high-fives all around?" Jason asked.
Coach looked at me.
"I can do that." I tried to say with confidence.
The team got into position, lining up along the bench, creating a pathway back to my bag. All of them had a hand outstretched. Noah led the way, slapping all of their hands. With him as an example, I followed through, beaming.
I got back to my bag and the team went back to focusing on the game. Mahki popped out to short, not giving Tanner a whole lot of time to take some practice swings. I took off my helmet and put on my hat, while Noah did the opposite. It was all for naught though; Tanner struck out, and Jason grounded out to first, leaving Noah in the circle.
He came back, still smiling. "For once, I'm not upset about not getting a chance to bat. Nope! Not at all! My best friend will be known as the freshman who hit the winning two-run homer in the CIF Finals. That's good enough for me."
I laughed. "You did your part on the field."
"Dang right I did!" Noah hollered. He switched his gear and I followed him out.
Coach spoke with the umpire to notify him of the pitcher change. James came running in at a leisurely pace.
James, who had been unstoppable this past month, didn't show any sign of weakness. Him and his curveball cruised through the end of the lineup for West Valley. Even pinch hitters couldn't throw him off his game. He went three up, three down, all strikeouts to end the eighth.
Everyone sprinted for the mound. Infielders, outfielders, the bench, the bullpen, and even the coaches. We are winners. We are the champions.
I watched from my spot just a few feet away, taking in the joy and happiness that I felt. I never would have gotten the chance to be here if it wasn't for Noah forcing me to tryout.
"JAKE! WE DID IT!!" Noah came running out of the mob of our teammates, and jumped at me before I realized what was happening. We tumbled into the dirt and both started to laugh like crazy.
I haven't felt this free…ever.
