I was the last to take the field. Garret finished his last practice pitch just as I got into position. He started this inning with batter two. Three and four just waiting for their chance too. Bottom of the seventh with a limited amount of pitches left put a lot of pressure on Garret.
He threw his cutter consecutively against the second batter, getting to a 1-2 count before the guy swung and missed. Strike out.
"Nice one!"
"Keep it up, Garret!"
"Hold them here!"
Just as Garret received praise, Carson's name was announced and his team said chants of their own.
"Carson!"
"Your chance is here!"
"Get on base!"
Carson had made contact in his two previous plate appearances. I mimicked Noah and backed my heels to the outfield grass. Jason and Jesse guarded the lines. Garret continued to throw his cutter, but Carson must have predicted it and swung at the first pitch. Good for Garret's pitch count, but it was bad that the ball fell into the left field grass for a single before Tanner could get there.
Tanner scooped the ball up and returned it to the infield to Noah. Noah saw that Carson stayed at first and walked the ball up to Garret on the mound. The cleanup hitter was next and he had gotten a hit off Garret back in the second inning.
Noah handed the ball over and shared a sentence or two before going back to his position.
Garret got set. As did Mitchell. Mitchell signed for a check throw and Garret obliged. He had the advantage as a lefty facing first base. Carson had to get dirty, diving back to first base. Jason didn't bother with the tag and threw the ball back to Garret.
Garret got a few 'boos' from the stands and opposing dugout. Garret didn't mind and even went ahead to do another check throw, forcing Carson back again. The 'boos' got louder.
Mitchell asked for a fastball outside. Garret got set and did his short motion since there was a runner on. The cleanup hitter made contact, hitting the ball just foul. Strike one.
I fixed my hat and tried to stay focus. The cleanup hitter had great power but there was still a chance that we could turn a double play.
Garret's second pitch was his cutter, inside for a ball. He threw another for a called strike. A fastball away was fouled again. Garret went with a fastball low but the batter held back and took the call for a ball. 2-2. Garret mixed in another check throw to the dismay of the fans.
"Keep him honest, Garret!" Kyle could be heard from our dugout.
"That's right!" Dave agreed.
"C'mon batter. Hit the ball my way." Noah clapped his glove.
Whether it was intentional or coincidence, the batter really hit the ball Noah's way. Kind of. It was a fast grounder off Garret's foot, deflected Noah's way. Noah caught the ball with his right hand, sprinted two steps to tag second, then threw to Jason as Carson was sliding into second base. Noah swiftly got out of the way.
"Out."
"Out."
"YEA!" A lot of guys cheered. Almost as if we had won. But it was just getting started. Extra innings we go.
Jesse was the first to Garret, helping him with his weight. Noah and I soon joined.
Noah went on his other side and tried to scoot under his armpit. "Lean on me, I've got you."
Garret grinned and shoved him away in the head. "Get away from me, brat. I'm fine. It's just tender."
Coach met us just outside the dugout, frowning. "How is it?"
"Just bounced off me like a hacky sack, Coach." Garret reported.
"Let the trainer have a look." Coach ordered.
"Aw, man." Garret rolled his eyes.
"You're done with the mound, but center field and batting will require a lot of effort. I don't want to see you hurting your season for a game." Coach went into his safety monologue as we all filed into the dugout.
Garret was dropped off at the closest spot next to Coach, Sean, and Alisha. The trainer soon came over to take a look.
I wanted to look too but Noah dragged me away. "Don't mind him. I believe him. He's fine."
"You really think so?" I asked.
"Yea. If it had really hit him, the ball would have died near the mound. Potentially being an infield single. If anything he helped guide the ball within my reach." Noah smiled.
That's the only thing he could smile about. Top of the eighth and bottom of our order, we came up empty-handed once more. Jesse struck out. Tanner hit a grounder to the shortstop. And Mitchell hit a grounder to the first baseman. Everyone retreated back to the dugout in low spirits.
"I can't believe we can't get one break." Noah mumbled to himself. "Something's gotta give."
Yea, and I just hope it's the other team.
"Tanner, you'll take a break. Bryce shift to left and Garret will take over in center." Coach gave a rundown of the changes he wanted to see. He left the dugout soon after to tell the umpire of the pitching change too.
The four of us infielders met Coach on the mound as Tyler jogged in from the bullpen. Coach handed him the baseball. "One batter at a time. One pitch at a time."
Tyler nodded and played with the baseball in his hands. "Yea, Coach. I get it."
Coach glanced back at the dugout where Mitchell was just coming out. He was the last out so it took him an extra few minutes to get his catching gear back on. Mitchell joined us and Coach continued. "This game isn't close to being over yet. You boys have your backs against the wall, but I believe in you. All of you. Our defense isn't second best to anybody."
Noah stepped forward proudly. "Let them put the ball in play, Ty. I've got anything up the middle."
Tyler grinned. "Who ya kidding? I haven't pitched since the finals of the last tournament. That's three weeks of practice and being bottled up. I'm ready to burst free."
Coach went back to our dugout and Tyler got to throw some off the mound. When the game resumed, he started with batter number five. Tyler said he was ready to burst but so was Eastside. The batter smacked the very first pitch back the way it came. Luckily Noah was there to snatch the line drive out of the air before it could get to the outfield.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Noah threw the ball back to Tyler.
Tyler let out a small laugh and faced the next guy, unbothered by the sharpness of the last hit. He stayed calm and worked the zone with Mitchell, getting the sixth batter to strike out. Batter seven pulled a pitch down the line, but Jesse was there to make the play. His defensive skills were definitely top tier and he was able to throw the guy out across the diamond.
"Stay warm, Tyler." Coach instructed when we all headed back inside the dugout. "You'll do the next inning too." His eyes drifted to Bryce, one of the last to get back to the dugout. "Start us off strong."
"Yes!"
