The Hitting Zone

One out. Back to the top of the order.

Noah clapped with his glove. "Alright! One out! Play's at first!"

Tyler got set. Mitchell didn't ask for a check throw, but Tyler did look back and took his foot off the rubber, eyeing the runner. The baserunner walked back to second, not taking a lead again until Tyler faced the batter. Tyler and the batter got into a drawn out battle before the batter got a piece of a pitch, hitting a grounder my way.

Before I had even gloved the ball, Noah was yelling. "To first!"

I fielded the ball, throwing the batter out at first. The runner from second had advanced to third base.

"Two outs!" Jason said, throwing the ball to Tyler on the mound.

The second batter was replaced with a pinch hitter. The previous guy had three strikeouts so I guess they didn't want him to try for the golden sombrero.

"Play's at first!" Noah repeated again. "We've got your back Ty!"

Tyler worked hard and the batter only hit a grounder to Noah. Routine work for him. As soon as that third out was called and the game was officially over, everyone started to run to the mound. We were going to the finals.

I grinned as I hung on the outskirts of the big group. Until I caught a glimpse of Carson. He was on one knee in the on deck circle, still holding his bat. He was looking at my team celebrate our long-desired win. His eyes drifted until they connected with mine. He dropped his head before I could look away, stood up, turned back to his dugout and took his helmet off. I only watched for a second before a heavy arm pulled me back to the reality of my team's win.

"Rest up, Bambi!"

"We've got one more game this weekend!"

The twins had arrived from our dugout. The two shook me back and forth until I forgot about Carson. Our team wasn't rushed off since the other semifinal was played at the other field. We took a minute to celebrate the win with everyone from the dugout and bullpen before going back to the dugout.

As we took off our cleats and packed up, Coach addressed the whole team. "Way to hang in there, boys. I know the hits weren't coming for us and it'll be like that against the best teams so don't take it to heart. After lunch, we'll have some extra time before the start of Finals. If anyone wants, we can do extra batting practice."

"I'll throw some BP!" Kyle offered.

Coach looked at him, skeptical.

"I'll take it light, Coach." Kyle swore. "Nothing serious to jeopardize my shoulder. I can just work on accuracy and throwing to the hard spots."

Coach slowly nodded. "Okay." He looked at Dave. "But nothing from you."

Dave was offended. "We both pitched yesterday, Coach!"

"Yea, but Kyle didn't max out." Garret pointed out.

Dave rolled his eyes. "You maxed out too."

pAn,Da n<0,>v,e1 "I'm not trying to volunteer for BP." Garret shook his head, slouching on the bench. "I'm in recovery mode completely. My whole body aches. This weekend has been very physical."

"Tournaments take a toll on the body." Coach stated. "After today, we'll start having some more rest days in between games." He looked at Garret. "If you need a break, we can afford to start you on the bench for the finals. Come in when we need you."

"If we need you." Noah snorted. "How many more tough teams can there be? We beat University. We beat Heritage Oak. We beat Eastside. These division one schools have nothing on us."

"You know I'm always good for a game, Coach." Garret refused. "Just don't expect me to run into anymore fences. When I get home tonight, I'll be taking an ice bath."

"We won't have practice tomorrow." Coach said. He looked around. "All of you have worked hard this weekend. Physically and mentally." He zoned in on the pitchers hanging out by the exit. "Who wants to start-"

"ME!!" Joey jumped up, cutting Coach off before he could finish.

Coach chuckled. "Well then. Looks like we have our starter for the finals."

"C'mon Coach."

"That's not fair!"

"I wouldn't mind making a spot start."

"Well if it's Joey, I guess we still have a chance to go in."

The pitchers who haven't done anything this tournament started to complain and crack jokes at Joey's expense.

"You guys are just jealous that I was the only one to pay attention." Joey puffed out his chest.

"I'm thinking our team's ERA is about to take a dump." Noah whispered to me.

"He's not bad." I elbowed Noah.

"Better than Marshel I guess." Noah snickered. He still held a grudge against our fellow sophomore.

I had nothing to say that. One, I definitely thought Joey was better than Marshel. Two, I didn't really like him either.

"Okay, simmer down." Coach motioned for us to zip it. "Let's round up your parents so I can discuss lunch plans." He spotted me, then looked to the twins. "Make sure to guide Jake to your parents. Don't stop to talk to strangers."

Dave laughed. "We ain't five, Coach."

"No one is going to kidnap our baby brother." Kyle declared.

"I think Coach is talking about the reporters." Noah laughed. He rested his hand on my head. "Gotta protect the baby before finals. Save the questions for the end of the tournament."

"Jake's becoming our own little celebrity." Garret joked. "Man, how did I get left behind like this?"

"I just wonder if all games will be like this now?"

"Zeke attracted a reporter or two. Especially against the better schools."

"We should probably expect more of the same these next couple of years."

"It's good exposure for us too. But only if we make it count."

A lot of the guys talked, comparing me to Zeke. I glanced at Noah to see if he was bothered, but his attention was more on his phone. We packed up and left the dugout in smaller groups, going to find our families.

Noah was on my right while the twins walked on either side of us.

"Great game, Jake."

"Your hit streak continues."

"Can we ask you some more questions?"

"How does it feel beating your cousin?"

I paused.

Noah grabbed my arm. "Ignore them."

"Wait." I glanced to the person who asked about beating Carson. "I wasn't...focused on that."

"What were you focused on then?"

I shrugged. "Playing baseball." I looked to Noah. "I think I mostly thought about Noah's fielding."

Noah grinned. He hooked me around the back of my neck and looked at the reporter. "You heard it here first, Jake Atkins looks up to me. He aspires to be as good as me."

"You made some amazing grabs today, Noah!"

"Very strong throws!"

"His baserunning is the best I've seen in quite awhile."

"Yea, I wanted to ask about that double steal and how it was planned."

We left those people behind and found Mom and Dad off to the side, talking to some parents.

"You boys were awesome!" Mom complimented. "It was such a close game!"

Dad laughed. "Your mom couldn't take a bathroom break until you guys got on the scoreboard."

"I was scared to miss out on the action, Wayne." Mom lightly slapped him.

I looked around slowly. "Did Jeremy..." I let the question die in my mouth, spotting Jeremy walking to the gate and onto the field.

"You think he's going to go find Carson?" Kyle mumbled.

"That...I mean...it looks like it." Dave answered. He looked at me. "You good, Jake?"

I shrugged. "I think so." I sighed. "I guess I'm feeling better than Carson."

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