Top of the sixth started with the ninth batter, who had a single off Kyle in the third inning. He didn't waste Kyle's perfect control and was able to connect with another one, sending it well over Noah's head. He sprinted, but I turned my attention to where the ball went to instead. Noah moved towards the grass to be a cutoff man, and I moved to the bag to cover the base. Zeke was the one to field the ball, and threw it to Noah. Noah turned to throw it to me, but the runner was already on second base, trying to catch his breath.
Noah sighed and threw the ball to Kyle on the mound. Kyle glared at the runner before turning to face the next batter. I was worried that he was going to give up a few more hits due to his frustration, but it just seemed to make him focus more. He struck out the next batter right away. Then a groundout to Chris for the second out. And then an easy pop up to me to end the inning. I was worried over nothing.
Bottom of the sixth. Chris led off, Noah was on deck, and I was in the hole. Chris continued to struggle in the box, striking out, and ending his day, 0-3. Noah moved to the batters box and I moved to the on deck circle.
But a heavy hand landed on my helmet, stopping me from moving. I froze and gulped. I slowly turned and came face to face with Zeke. He was squatting so we could be eye level.
"If Noah gets a hit or gets on base, then you can hit as well. As a lefty though." He instructed. I lightened up and nodded along. "From here on out, we'll let you hit as a lefty and get walks as a righty. Just to start fooling other teams later on."
I didn't understand. But I also didn't care. All I heard was that I get to hit. More often too from the sound of it. I nodded again and turned to watch Noah's at bat diligently. If he could just get on base, that would give me a chance.
Almost as if I willed it to happen, Noah was able to get a bloop single just over the first baseman's head. He safely stood on first as I walked to the lefty's box, my first opportunity to hit since forever.
I could hear the crowd mumbling about my change in stance and it looked like the other team took note as well. The Santa Fe dugout sent out signs and the team responded. None of the matter to me. My priority was set. I was going to get a hit. Even with my sore and heavy arms. I just wanted to swing the bat once today with the intent to hit.
The pitcher came at me with two balls in the dirt, and then a called strike just catching the outside corner. I didn't bother to waste my energy on those bad pitches. I retained my focus and watched as the fourth pitch came. It was a fastball right down the middle, but just a little high. Almost at my chest level. I took a step with my right and started my swing. Ignoring the protest of the muscles in my arms, I connected with the ball and followed through, sending a line drive to the outfield. I took off to first.
My line drive wasn't super powerful, nor did it go very far. The center fielder was able to get it on the bounce and send the ball back to the infield, holding Noah at second and me at first.
Coach Luis gave my back a hard slap, making me flinch. "Not bad, kid. I expect more of that."
I gave a nod even though I didn't get to decide when I would get to hit. I mostly just left it up to Zeke.
Sadly, the momentum stopped with me. Julian came up next, only to ground out into a double play to end the inning. I sighed as I changed out my gear, slightly upset that I wasn't able to do more.
"Don't sound so depressed." Noah comforted me as we grabbed our gloves. "We're winning. ANDDD we get to play." He tilted his head to the other end of the dugout. "Look at coach."
I did. He and the other coaches were talking to Kyle, with Kelvin nearby. Kyle looked upset, but coach held firm and pointed at the bench. Kyle stomped over and threw his glove in his bag.
Noah and I knew better than to stick around and we headed out to the field. Obviously, coach just benched Kyle in order to bring in a new pitcher. With Kelvin taking a seat as well, that means Jordan was taking over. And Jordan only catches for Garret.
Garret and Jordan were already in their positions, warming up. Garret would get to face the core of the lineup: batters four, five, and six. He had previously pitched against Katella on Saturday, but was able to keep his pitch count under 75 in that shutout he had pitched. There wasn't any need to be nervous as Garret didn't look tired at all. With two days rest, he came out strong and was able to shut down Santa Fe's last hope for a comeback. He struck out all three batters without any problem, ending the game. We won 4-0.
We celebrated as a team and congratulated one another for a job well done. The lively atmosphere would usually make me shy away, but today I felt more relaxed than I had in awhile. Even my heavy arms and sore abdominal muscles seem to vanish with the announcement of our win.