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nDave was a bit behind getting on the mound since he was the last batter, but it wasn't like we could play without him. The umpire still gave him adequate time to throw some pitches off the mound.

nDave looked to be completely comfortable and not at all worried about Marie's pitching stats. He came out strong, aiming at some good spots in the strike zone. The first Porterville batter up, went down swinging on three pitches. The next batter was also quick to swing, but it just meant quick to get out since all he did was hit a pop fly to Noah. The third batter up, saw the most pitches, getting to a 2-2 count, before grounding out right to Noah.

nWhen we got back to the dugout, the team clapped and congratulated Dave on a three up, three down inning. Noah and I moved to get our helmets on and bats ready. He would be up third, and if someone can get on base, I would get a chance to hit too.

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"If you do all the fielding, I won't even break a sweat.

" I laughed to Noah, keeping my voice low.

nNoah cracked a smile.

"Let's just hope Dave can stay this efficient. That wasn't even ten pitches.

" He turned to watch Tony step up to bat.

"If we can also score two runs an inning while not giving up any, we can mercy rule them too. Be even with the girls.

"

nI smiled. It's good to hear that he wasn't too worried about me to forget about what he originally wanted to do. It felt kind of fun having something to compete for. Wait.

"What do we even win if we win the bet?

" I asked.

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"Bragging rights.

" Noah grinned.

"What's more important than that?

"

nUhhhh. Good question. What would we even want from the girls team? I studied the wooden bat in my hands.

"We could also ask for homemade cookies.

" I suggested.

nNoah brightened up, eyes opening wide.

"Yes! Great idea!

"

nI looked up and smiled, glad he thought so too.

nSadly, the inning didn't go like the first. Tony grounded out to short. Kelvin struck out swinging. And Noah hit a slow roller right to the first baseman, who easily scooped it up and tagged the base before the speedster could even get there.

nNoah sighed as he joined me at our bags, putting our helmets away.

"That was a little pathetic, but no worries. We can bounce back. Right?

"

nI nodded. Then followed him onto the field.

nDave continued to be effective on the mound in the bottom of the second inning too. Again, he didn't have to use any more than ten pitches. Their supposed cleanup hitter, hit a high fly towards center field only for Zeke to come in to make the catch. The fifth batter hit a hard grounder to Noah, who cleanly fielded to Julian on first. The third out of the inning was a long fly ball to Tony in right field. He had to back up for it, but it barely made it to the warning track before the outfield fence. Still 2-0.

nThis time no one congratulated Dave. They just let him be. He strolled into the dugout and everyone avoided him and gave him space to be alone.

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"He's in the zone.

" Noah said, bouncing in his seat excitedly like a little kid. I slipped my helmet on and grabbed my bat.

"Do him justice out there, Jake!

"

nI let out a small laugh as I made my way out. The pitcher didn't change, and had finished his warmup. I always wondered why coaches didn't pull pitchers as soon as they started out shaky. Was it already the best they could send out? Did they feel like they could catch up to the 2-0 score? Did the second inning give me them assurance that he calmed down? I couldn't be a coach. There were so many factors at play and decisions to be made. Heck, it was already hard for me just being a player.

nThe only thing that wasn't hard for me, was hitting. The pitcher gave me something good so I swung and sent it down the third baseline. I started sprinting. The line drive dropped between the third baseman and left fielder, then continued to roll. I rounded first and continued on. I didn't even think about stopping. It was a good hit. I can make it.

nThe left fielder grabbed the ball and threw his hardest to the shortstop. The shortstop had to back up and jump to catch the relay throw. He turned to throw to second, but I was already standing there. Safe.

nMy breaths came out short and sporadic, but not as bad as my first run from second to home. I put my hands on top of my helmet to try and keep my airways open. Drew had me doing this every time I had trouble during endurance training so this should help. I think.

nThe ball was thrown back to the pitcher, who had to face Mahki. Like me, Mahki had a single in the first inning. He swung on the first pitch, smacking a hard one towards the shortstop. The shortstop snatched it, looked to me to see if I was going, then threw to his first baseman to get Mahki out.

nHa. I wasn't even leading off just yet. I was too focused on catching my breath. I was starting to have flashbacks to last month when I was told to run laps for the first time.

nWith one out, and me on second, Zeke stepped up to bat. He took a little practice swing and then fully drew his bat back, looking ready to send any pitch that came his way right on out of here. Zeke didn't just have the look though, he committed to the actual to prove it, sending one of the first pitches to the outfield.

nI kept my eye on Mr. Miller, trusting him to tell me what to do. Almost right away he waved me on so I knew it was a hit. I took off for third and watched as he waved his arm in a windmill-like fashion, telling me to keep going. I rounded third, keeping it tight and sprinted towards home. Jason stood a bit back, holding Zeke's bat.

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"No slide!

" He called out to me.

nI didn't slow up though. I sprinted on through to ensure that I scored the third run of the game. Then I stopped and started to cough. And cough. And cough some more. I was struggling to breathe.

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"In your nose, out your mouth. Hands on your head.

" Coach had come out of the dugout to fetch me. I did what I was told, putting my hands back on my head, and started to breathe air in through my nose and then slowly exhaled out my mouth. It didn't stop me from letting out a few more coughs though.

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"Come on. Let's get back to the dugout. I've already asked for the school's athletic trainer to come on over.

" Coach guided me back to the dugout.

nMy teammates all made space for me as I found my way back to my area, yet I didn't sit down. I remained standing, trying to get oxygen in. Noah hovered, looking worried, but coach pushed him away so an older man could stand near us.

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"Hello, I'm Gregory, the athletic trainer. I've heard you're having some trouble adjusting to the altitude.

" He squatted so we could look each other in the eye.

"Have you ever been this high in elevation before?

"

nI shook my head once. Nope. Never.

nHe reached behind himself, where a silver tank on wheels was. He grabbed something clear and held it up.

"This is an oxygen mask and tank. It'll help deliver a higher volume of oxygen into your system. Try it for a minute and see if it helps.

"

nHe took my helmet off as I put my arms down. Then he helped me get the mask on, which only covered my nose and mouth.

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