The Hitting Zone

Monday's game wasn't until 5pm so we had to attend all of our classes It wasn't hard or anything like that; it just made the day feel long. My day only got longer when Coach confirmed that I would definitely be sitting out again.

1 2B Dalton Nelson

2 RF Bryce Finn

3 SS Noah Atkins

4 P Garret Knudsen

5 1B Jason Morris

6 3B Jesse Shipman

7 LF Logan Porter

8 CF Korrey Alvarrez

9 C Mitchell Torres

"I'm going to hang out in the bullpen today." Kyle told Dave.

Dave nodded. "Me too." He looked to me. "Want to join us? You can be our honorary catcher."

I looked at him with disgust.

Dave laughed. "Hey, it was just an offer. I just know Garret will crush those guys today so I want to escape to the bullpen and avoid his showboating."

"Unlike you, Jake has no problem with others doing well." Garret came over and threw his arm around my shoulders.

I nodded in agreement, not minding Garret hanging off of me.

"I don't know." Noah drawled out. "I kind of like knowing that my team needs me. Makes me feel good."

That's true. "But I like knowing that you guys can win without me. That way if we lose...I know it's not necessarily my fault even if I'm playing."

"I think you put too much pressure on yourself." Garret gave me a pat on the head. "Leave it to me. To your seniors." He grinned. "If we ever lose a game, there's a good chance it was the twin's fault."

"No way!"

"Rude!"

Noah pulled me away from the trio as they started arguing for the millionth time who was the better pitcher among them. Coach eventually split them up so Garret could prepare for the game.

We didn't play Alisal High School last year so there was no background on how well they could play. The first three batters all made contact with Garret's fastball, yet they were all groundouts. To second, to third, to short. Garret stayed under ten pitches and was satisfied with that kind of start since his limit today is 75.

Dalton led off the bottom of the first, striking out on a foul tip. Bryce worked his count to a favorable 3-1 before hitting a single to right field. Noah attacked early, hitting a single to center field and pushing Bryce to third. In a favorable position, Mr. Miller signed for Noah to steal. Bryce would have to pay attention to see if he could steal home if they mess up the throw or forget about him at third. Alisal's pitcher started his motion and Noah took off as soon as that arm went back. The catcher received the pitch for a ball, jumped up like he was going to throw, but held himself back. Noah was easily safe at second.

Two runners in scoring position with Garret up to bat. My leg started to shake with excitement. Garret came through, connecting with a pitch and hitting it to the fence. Bryce jogged in to score the first run. Noah sprinted, tagged third, then slid over home plate as the ball was relayed back in. 2-0. Garret safely stood on second, pumping his fist. No doubt the twins were happy that they chose the bullpen today.

Jason hit a fly ball to center and Garret was able to advance to third on the tag up, yet was left stranded when Jesse hit a routine grounder to third to end the inning.

Garret came back with Jesse, still smiling. He took his time to switch out his helmet for his glove and got ready before heading back to the mound. The cleanup hitter led off and made solid contact, causing a loud gasps from the stands. Bryce sprinted at a backwards angle before diving for the line drive.

"Out!" The umpire confirmed once Bryce got up with the ball in his glove. Bryce threw the ball back in.

Garret didn't seem bothered by the constant contact. The next batter hit a grounder to Noah. Then Garret earned his first strikeout to finish off the side.

Bottom of the second. Logan grounded out to short. Korrey hit a line drive right to the right fielder. And Mitchell hit a fly ball to left.

Top of the third. Garret got the first guy to pop up to Dalton and second, and then earned back to back strikeouts.

Bottom of the third. Dalton struck out for the second time. Bryce hit a good ball to center field, but the center fielder made an even better play. Noah also hit within the center fielder's reach for the third out.

Noah sighed a few times back in the dugout as he switched his gear. "I can't be hitting the ball too high. I'm better off trying to beat out a grounder to third or short or something."

I nodded, believing it.

Top of the fourth, Noah actually saw his dream come true: the top three batters hit grounders in his direction. To his left. To his right. One that wanted to sneak up the middle but he was there to snatch it up and got the throw off in time.

Garret and him came back, laughing at something that was said. They split up with Noah coming to me and Garret going to his bag to switch his gear.

Noah plopped down with a smile. "I wish every inning was like that one."

I shook my head. I couldn't relate, but I knew how Noah was.

Garret led the bottom of the fourth off with a bomb to righ-center field. We jumped up as soon as the ball came off his bat with a loud 'ding'. The dugout went crazy as soon as the ball made it past the fence for a home run. 3-0. Garret was welcomed back with excessive slaps and pats. He really was having a great game.

The rest of the team...eh not so much. Jason got caught looking at strike three. Jesse flew out to center. Logan struck out swinging at three fastballs.

Top of the fifth, Garret faced the cleanup hitter for the second time, getting him to pop up to Jason at first base. The next batter got a very generous call from the home plate umpire on a full count. Ball four. A walk. Garret lost his perfect game. I could see a hint of frustration as he got the ball back. The next batter hit a grounder to Noah's right. Noah slid as he got to it, turned around completely and got the ball to Dalton at second in time for the first out. Dalton threw to Jason to complete the double play.

"Tough call." Coach commented when Garret came back.

Garret paused. His lips twisted. "I think I'm going to go over my limit today, Coach. I want to finish it."

"Are you sure it's worth it?" Coach asked. "If you go over 75, you can't be on the mound against Golden West on Thursday."

"The team doesn't need me to close it out on Thursday. Our offense will hold things steady." Garret looked intense.

Coach gave a small shake of his head. "Okay, Garret. The mound is yours today. You're not allowed to regret it."

"I won't." Garret grinned.

Bottom of the fifth. Korrey hit a fly ball to left. Mitchell grounded out to third. As did Dalton. Rough day for those three. A combined 0-7.

Top of the sixth, I got a glimpse of why Garret thought he wouldn't stay under the pitch count. He was throwing aggressively in the strike zone, getting into battles with the batters before getting them to strike out swinging. He did it three times in a row to crush the bottom of their lineup.

Bottom of the sixth, we had racked on another run. Bryce singled. Noah struck out on a foul tip. Garret singled and Bryce was able to make it to third again with his lead and speed. Jason hit a long fly to center allowing Bryce to tag up and score. 4-0. Jesse walked, trying to ease his bad day at the plate too. However Logan's grounder to second ended the inning.

Top of the seventh. Three outs to go. The few of us on the bench all stood up at the gate to cheer for Garret. He hasn't given up a hit yet. The friends, families, and fans in the bleachers all knew what was at stake this inning. Garret struck out the lead off batter for the first out. His fourth in a row, and his seventh of the game. The second batter worked to a full count but Garret was able to get him to swing and miss on the cutter for the second out. The third batter made early contact, hitting a fly ball the opposite way. Bryce chased it back to the warning track. He put his hand on the fence, waited an extra beat before making his jump. He snatched the ball before it could go over and came down with it.

"Out!"

"Game!"

Garret had pitched a no-hitter!!! Everyone charged him at the mound.

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