The Hitting Zone-Novel

Bottom of the eighth started with Mitchell. He was rushing to get out of his catcher's gear.

"Take your time." Coach came over to say something. "We're only down by one." He looked to Jesse, who was getting ready to bat too. "Jesse, take a seat. Bryce, get your gear on and take some practice swings." His eyes drifted around, probably looking for more options. He finally stopped at a fellow sophomore. "Logan. Grab a bat. If there's a chance, you'll take Matt's spot in the lineup."

The dugout was full of activity as we got ready. Everyone was on the move. Except for those of us who had our chance last inning. I sat beside Noah and tried to calculate the probability of me coming up this inning. It was highly unlikely. Unless we tied it up.

Down 5-6. Mitchell made his way out of the dugout.

"Come on." Noah got up and dragged me to stand up as well. He moved us forward, up against the dugout fence. "Let's go, Mitchell! You've got this!"

Noah wasn't alone in his cheers. More than half the team was yelling out supportive commentary and clapping along to liven up the atmosphere. I settled for gripping the fence and focusing on Mitchell.

He got under one of the pitches early on, popping it up high. The catcher jumped up, threw off his mask and tracked it back. "I've got it! I've got it!" He called off the first baseman that was running in. He made the catch for the first out. "One out! Two to go!"

I glanced at Noah.

"It's alright. Don't mind!" Noah said.

Mitchell came back and Bryce went up. Tanner moved to the on deck circle. It made sense why Coach put Bryce in for Jesse and not Tanner. Jesse was 0-3 at the plate in this game while Tanner at least has one hit. Question is...how will Bryce fair against a sidearm pitcher.

Bryce worked the count to a favorable 3-1. Just when I thought he was going to try to get walked, he made contact, hitting a line drive down the left field line. He dropped the bat and started sprinting. The left fielder was also sprinting. It became a race once Bryce rounded first and headed for second. The left fielder got the ball and threw over the shortstop, straight to the second baseman on the bag. Bryce slid in, feet first. His momentum carried his body over the bag, but he held on. It was up to the ump.

"Safe!"

"YES!"

"That's what I'm talking about!"

"Awesome!"

"Great job, Bryce!"

Our team got loud. We had a runner in scoring position!

Tanner moved to the batter's box. Logan moved out to the on deck circle. He was coming in for Matt after all. Sean was in the hole. Noah didn't make a move for his helmet so I stayed to watch too. I didn't want to jinx anything.

Tanner was the opposite of Bryce, getting into a 1-2 hole real quick. Mr. Miller gave a few signs out including for Bryce to fake a steal to distract the pitcher. Bryce had good speed so it was doable. He took a bigger lead. The pitcher was unusually concerned about baserunners. I brought it up to Noah.

"He's probably not too used to them." Noah answered, eyes still on Tanner. "He's got such an unusual motion. I bet he's a closer."

"Coach Luis said the same thing."

"Yea, well, closers are supposed to be lights out. Three up, three down. No more." Noah said. "With his style, it probably burdens his elbow and can't throw too much. He was on a league champion team last year to make CIF so I can't imagine him inheriting too many baserunners either."

Ding.

Tanner made contact. I held the fence and the yelling started. Tanner was running to first. Bryce had a lead, but waited to make sure the ball wouldn't be caught. The right fielder had ran a bad route, made a jump, and missed. The ball bounced off the wall. Bryce started to sprint; Mr. Miller waved him on to go home. The center fielder was the one to get the ball and make the throw in. Tanner slid into second while the ball was relayed home. Bryce had slid freely over home, jumping up without ever being tagged. 6-6! We tied it again!

Our dugout went crazy as if we had already won. I shook the fence with a few others. Noah and the twins were the loudest, screaming for Tanner. Bryce was welcomed back into the dugout with slaps on the helmet, shoulder, and back. It was a good run.

Noah went to his bag and got his helmet on. He was in the hole.

The catcher and other infielders went up to the mound to comfort their pitcher. No coaches from their dugout came out so they must be sticking with him. It turned out to be a good choice. He got Logan to swing and miss, striking him out for the second of the inning. Sean was up next. Tanner was given the sign to take more of a lead, but the pitcher didn't even bother looking back this time around. It must have been said in his last mound meeting with his teammates. His focus was solely on Sean at the plate. He got him to strike out too, ending the inning, pushing us to the ninth.

I went to my bag and put my helmet and bat back. Same went for Noah.

"Bryce, stay in." Coach instructed. "Go out to left. Logan, take a seat. Tyler is coming in to pitch in your spot."

Logan gave a stiff nod.

Bryce joined the rest of us in taking the field for a quick warmup. Tyler was already on the mound from the bullpen. He threw some practice pitches with Mitchell before we started the top of the ninth.

Tyler Larsen was a senior and played last year too. He didn't get a whole lot of chances last year but came through under pressure at the moment. Him and Mitchell's game plan consisted of using fastballs out of the zone and breaking balls that looked like they were on the borderline. The umpire was generous with anything close, practically forcing Wheatland batters to swing or take a called strike. Batter's seven and eight went down swinging.

The ninth spot was the same guy who came in to pitch hit back in the seventh inning. He made contact, hitting a sharp grounder right at third base. Jason was playing close to the line and made a diving stop. He jumped up and threw his hardest to Sean at first. Sean dug out the ball, catching it on a hop, completely stretched out as the batter came sprinting down the line.

"Out!" The umpire made a decision on the close play.

Yes! I smiled with relief. No playing catch up this time around. Noah, me, and Garret were due up in the bottom of the ninth. This is a great chance! The best so far!

I hurried to the dugout, just steps behind Noah. We met at the bags and changed out our gear.