477 CIF Semifinal: Anderson HS 3 (1/2)

Bottom of the second.

Kyle took the mound with confidence and a slight attitude. The first pitch was a fastball right down the middle for a called strike. The batter stepped back for a practice swing. As the cleanup, he was definitely a senior: tall, well-built, and almost looked like adult with a full beard. This was the first time I felt like we were playing against men and not boys. This would be the disadvantage in playing varsity as a freshman.

'DING!'

Kyle's second pitch was returned with force and power. The cleanup hitter smashed the ball to left field. We could only watch as it soared over Garret and then the outfield fence. A homerun. A solo shot.

Anderson High and their fans cheered for the batter as he jogged the bases with ease.

I looked to Noah, but he was just as stunned as I was. That was too sudden. We're losing by one with a swing of the bat. If we're this shock, I can't imagine what Kyle is feeling. I slowly turned to Kyle, feeling more nervous than I did when I was at bat.

Kyle was still facing left field. Disbelief was written all over his face. It was a good pitch. Speed. Placement. Movement.

”Next one!” Garret yelled from left field with some aggression.

That snapped Kyle out of his daze. He turned himself around to face Kelvin, who was waiting to give him a new ball. Noah and I exchanged worried glances, but since he didn't make a move towards the mound, I didn't either.

Kyle was obviously affected by the solo shot to left, and it showed in his next battle with batter number five. His pitches were off-mark and the ones that were close to the zone, were fouled off. It didn't take long for another ball to be launched towards the outfield.

I moved to cover second base, and Noah moved towards the grass to be the cutoff man. The ball was high as it traveled to center field. Zeke tracked it down with his eyes, his feet gliding across the grass as he sprinted towards the fence. He paused for a brief second before jumping, raising his glove high while using his free hand for balance against the fence. He snatched the ball before coming down hard.

He straightened up and immediately threw the ball in to Noah. ”One out!”

Noah grinned, turned and threw the ball to Kyle. ”One out!” He echoed.

Kyle nodded after catching the ball, then faced home plate. The sixth batter stepped up. Kyle had lost his focus after those two well hit balls. It wasn't a lie to say that the first out would have been another homerun if it wasn't for Zeke's great defensive play.

Kyle's pitching lacked the power from before, but that wasn't as concerning as his lack of placement. He walked the sixth batter on four straight balls. The batter jogged to first and Kelvin stood up to jog to the mound.

I looked to Noah and saw him jogging to me instead of to the mound so I met him halfway.

”'What's up'...?” I repeated. Then glanced to the mound where Kelvin and Kyle were. ”Should we go too?” Doesn't he normally go to the mound when the pitcher is struggling? Kind of like for moral support?