392 Golden West @ Servite 2 (1/2)

Zeke wasn't surprised to see Willie sitting in front of us. He just sat on the other side of Noah and started to pass out the hotdogs. Noah pulled water bottles out of his bag and passed them out too.

”So who do you think will win, Zeke?” Willie asked.

”Both teams are sending out good pitchers today.” Zeke said diplomatically. ”It's anyone's game.”

”I didn't expect you would care enough to come down and watch.” Willie said. ”Heard you suffered your first league loss this season on Wednesday to Golden West. Brady wasn't pitching, so what happened?”

Zeke shrugged. ”Guess you should have been there.”

Willie laughed. ”I can't make it to all your games. I cover a wide area. Only big games like this can upend my schedule. Two excellent pitchers in one game. Can't wait to see how each team handles the pressure.”

”It's because we didn't have Jake on Wednesday.” Noah pointed out to the man. He patted my shoulder. ”He was sick and I'll be the first to admit that put a hole in our lineup.”

Willie looked my way and I quickly focused on my hotdog. It was an embarrassment that Noah is always complimenting my batting. I'm afraid that I'll let him down like against University Prep. No hits.

”Are you feeling better?” Willie asked, surprising me.

I nodded.

”That's good.” He added. ”The most important thing to an athlete and to any person really, is their health.”

”He's all good. We beat down Trinity yesterday so he's back to normal.” Noah told him. ”Zeke smacked another home run and Kyle pitched all five innings of the called game. It was fun.”

”Oh? I'm glad you guys bounced back. Once a team loses, they sometimes crumble under the stress. But you know, losses are inevitable. There's never been a MLB team that went undefeated.” Willie told us.

”Now introducing...” The broadcaster started to announce the starting lineups as Servite players took the field first.

”So are you just focusing on the pitchers today?” Noah asked, leaning forward to get a glimpse at Willie's notes. ”Would you say that they're better than Zeke?”

”I'm watching them while knowing their backgrounds, but I keep an eye on everyone. You never know when you come across a future star.” Willie explained. ”I, personally, would say Zeke is one of the best players I've seen at the high school level. But my job is to be objective and fair so my employer doesn't pick the wrong player.”

”You can't go wrong with Zeke.” Noah said confidently.

”Okay, enough.” Zeke bopped him on top of the head. ”Eat your hotdog and watch the game. We came to scout out the competition.”

Noah rolled his eyes, but didn't talk back. He just started working on his hotdog.

I had already finished mine and watched as the first batter for Golden West stepped up to bat. Sanchez, on the mound, looked like a pro already. He even had a mustache.

”Doesn't he look a little too old to be a senior?” Noah asked aloud.

”He's a senior like me.” Zeke said. He rubbed his chin. ”I could also grow a beard...if I had darker hair.”

Noah snorted, almost choking on his hotdog.