The Hitting Zone

Friday's practice was brutal. For me and the twins at least. The three of us were stuck with Drew, doing all kinds of sprints drills, even using the uphill incline against us. Garret was able to go back to the gym with his coach, switching up the muscles he was going to focus on. The pitching coach said he had less time to recover than the twins so it was better if they didn't stick to the same path. Meanwhile, Sean was able to rejoin the team, although at a slower pace as he eases himself back in.

At the end of it all, I had an urge to just go to sleep after showering at home, but I knew I couldn't miss the girl's game. Everyone was going. And I meant everyone. Our whole team. Our classmates. Basically anyone that Noah talked to this week.

By the time we got to the softball field, the three sets of bleachers were mostly filled with even more people standing around them.

"Noah! Jake! Over here!" Alisha was waving her arms wildly, trying to get our attention. She was sitting with other sophomores, some I knew from class.

Noah told the twins. "Looks like our friends saved us a spot. Later!" Noah walked away.

I gave the twins a wave and followed after.

"Here! I made some signs!" Alisha thrusted posters at us as soon as we joined.

Mine was just a softball with Kaylee's name in it. I glanced at the others around us and they had all different names. Alisha really went all out.

"I saved Kaylee's for you." Alisha told me. "I figured she's the only one you might be comfortable yelling and waving the poster for."

My lips twitched. Why did I come over to the cheer squad? I should have stuck with the twins.

"You gave me Marie?" Noah twisted his lips, not pleased. "I know other players on the team. Why don't I give this to Kyle?"

"No way." Alisha denied his request. "Besides, I think it'll be great. Who will yell for Marie the loudest? Her boyfriend? Or the boyfriend's little brother?"

Noah was sold. He held the sign above his head and faced the field, where the teams were just starting to be announced. "NUMBER ONE PITCHER, THERE'S NO ONE BETTER! MARIE! MARIE! MARIE!" She soon came out of her dugout, walking to the pitching circle. She glanced our way and gave a small nod.

"WOO-HOO! Let's go, Kaylee!!" Alisha cheered when Kaylee left the dugout. She looked our way too. I lifted the poster so she could see. She grinned and jogged to her position at shortstop. Alisha looked to Noah. "Kaylee's considered good at shortstop, right?"

Noah grinned. "That's where all the best fielders play."

Marie had a hot start to the game, striking out the side. Our school was excited to see the offense come out after such a good show on the mound, but it was tough to see them go three up, three down. Kaylee had made solid contact, but the third baseman caught he line drive. The opposing team really was good. It was mostly a pitcher's duel for the first five inning. In the sixth, the girls finally made a move when Marie got a double. That seemed to open up the gates for their hitting and pushed the score 3-0. Even Kaylee had an RBI single. The other team had to change pitchers to stop the bleeding. But the girls hung on. Marie had an outstanding game only giving up two hits and two walks. No runs and eleven strikeouts.

After the game, Noah and I knew Kyle was going to wait around to meet up with Marie so we would have to do the same. Alisha asked us for a ride home and Noah agreed, despite not even being the driver.

Kaylee found us after her team's postgame meeting. "Thanks for coming you guys." She smiled at the poster in my hands. "Alisha did this, right?"

Alisha grinned, grabbed the sign from me and thrust it into Kaylee's. "Hold it up. I'll take some pictures for you. You played so well! Definitely like Noah!"

"Hey!" Noah hollered, looking offended.

Kaylee laughed and Alisha took pictures with her phone. After messing around for a bit, the twins came over with Marie and KJ.

"I told Alisha we could take her home." Noah quickly told Dave, who had the keys.

Dave looked to Alisha. "Do you have to go home right away? I don't mind, but we were thinking about going to The Arcade for pizza and some games."

"Sounds fun!" Alisha smiled. "I just have to text my parents real quick. They won't mind."

Kaylee looked at Marie. "We're going like this?" She gestured to her dirty uniform.

"Yea? Why not?" Marie shrugged before smirking. "Are you trying to impress someone?"

"No. Of course not." Kaylee quickly denied. "I just feel gross from the dried sweat."

"We can wash our faces in the bathroom."

Friday night became a small party of sorts. Four sophomores, one junior, and three seniors. Kyle actually paid for two pizzas and drinks for everyone. Maybe to impress Marie, because that's not a regular move for him. We spent the rest of the night eating, joking, and playing games.

Saturday morning, Noah woke me up for a morning run. I tossed and turned before getting up. Noah was relentless so it's better not to fight it. I remembered the days of summer that he didn't want to run with Zeke, yet now he had his own motivation. I'm sure being in the middle of baseball season really inspired him too.

The twins saw us getting ready and actually joined too. The three of us couldn't catch up to Noah, but it was no longer a struggle for me to keep up with them.

"It's not fair." Dave gasped. "I worked out yesterday, doing a bunch of sprints and cardio exercises."

I made a face at him.

"Bro, we know. We were right there with you." Kyle rolled his eyes, saying what I had on my mind too. I just couldn't get the words out as I focused on my breathing. Just because I could keep up doesn't mean it wasn't exhausting for me.

After the morning workout, we ate a big breakfast at home. Then Dave agreed to take us to the cages while Kyle wanted to see Marie. After the cages, and lunch, we hit the road for Stanford. Grampa even joined too, knowing that it was only a one night stay. We checked into the hotel, then went to Zeke's school for the game. We were so early, we were able to watch both teams warm up. Zeke's team won both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Zeke did extremely well, going 4-5 at the plate with two walks, five RBI's and three runs scored. He and Rhys ate with us Sunday evening before we headed back home.

"You're going to be able to come to our game tomorrow, right Grampa?" Noah looked at him just as he was about to fall asleep against the window.

"Why? You're probably the only one playing." Dave snorted.

"Yea. Let Grampa recover from this drive." Kyle agreed.

"It's our first home game in almost two weeks. And the next home game won't be for like another two weeks." Noah said.

"What else would I do on a Monday evening?" Grampa asked with his eyes closed. "Now let me sleep. Car ride naps are the best."

The twins didn't look convinced.

Neither was I. I loved to sleep, but a moving car? That was still a tough one.

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