Noah may be joking between innings, but he took his batting just as seriously as he did fielding. He had put in more work during the off-season and it was starting to show. He swung late, getting some ugly fouls, but hey, whatever works. He got an unlucky call on the ninth pitch, a ball called for a strike. Noah shook his head at the ump and made his way back.

"That guy's strike zone is clearly off.

" Noah grumbled, passing me on his way back to the dugout.

I shrugged. Nothing we can do about it.

I was helpless myself. Before I could even step into the batter's box, I heard the catcher telling the umpire their intentions to walk me. Saved themselves four pitches. I pursed my lips, tossed the bat back towards the dugout, and jogged to first.

"It's a free base.

" Coach Luis tried to comfort me.

"Don't pout about it.

"

With me on base, Mr. Miller gave Garret the sign to swing and for me to run on contact. But I had to be wary of fly balls. Garret got set in the lefty's box, nodding at Mr. Miller's signs.

With a chance to drive in a run, there was no need to worry about the pitch count for the guy on the mound. It'd be better to put the ball in play. Garret did his part, slapping the ball down the third baseline before taking off for first. I took off for second.

I didn't watch the play at third, but somehow the ball beat me to second base. The second baseman who received the ball, tried to make the throw to first to complete the double play. Instead, his throw went wide of the first baseman. I hurried off the field, seeing that Garret was going to try for second.

"Hold!

" The pitcher told the first baseman who got the ball. There wasn't going to be a play at second base to get Garret out.

Jason came up empty-handed after Garret. He barely caught a piece of a ball outside the zone, hitting it right to the first baseman, who fielded it on his own to end the inning.

Coach didn't have much to say between our switch back to defense. We took the field to defend the top of the fourth.

Garret was back to facing the top of the lineup. The first batter, the lefty, didn't mess around and attacked the ball early, pulling another grounder to the right.

To me! I got my glove in the dirt and fielded the grounder, throwing the ball to Sean at first before the batter could reach. The first out.

"Good!

" Noah called out and clapped with his glove. It might have been a compliment, but I know he was secretly hoping a few grounders would be put into play his way. And I wouldn't mind that at all.

The second batter also swung and connected early; this time getting the ball to right field, out of reach for me and Sean. Tanner fielded the ball back to us, keeping that batter to a single. The third batter had a similar performance, a bloop single over Jason, advancing his teammate to second.

I glanced at Noah, worried. Back-to-back singles? Is it time to go talk to Garret?

Noah's eyes stayed forward, but I could see that he was frowning.

Cleanup got on with a single to left. Tanner threw a bullet straight to Mitchell, guarding home. The runner backed up to third, not daring to have a close play at home.

"Time.

" Noah called out to the nearest umpire and headed for the mound.

After seeing Sean, Jason, and Mitchell head for the mound, I hurried to join too.

"They've changed tactics.

" Noah said in a low voice, covering his mouth with his glove.

"Absolutely.

" Mitchell had his mask off and mouth covered.

"We're no longer seeing a battle at the plate. They're jumping on the pitches early.

" He looked directly at Garret.

"I-

" He stopped himself.

"It's okay. I know what you're going to say, and I agree.

" Garret took his glove off and held the baseball in both hands.

"I've started to slack off.

"

All of us got quiet. With Garret being the captain, it was hard to give criticism. Unless... I glanced at Noah.

"They lured you into it.

" Noah said.

"Don't mind. We have to get back on track now.

" He looked around at the rest of us.

"Let's do our best to keep the damage small. Double plays preferred, but don't waste an out by overthinking it.

" He focused back on Garret.

"We have a three run lead. Try to keep them to two. But even if you don't, you know we have your back.

"

Garret nodded.

The home plate umpire broke up our meeting, sending us back to our positions. Bases loaded. One out. I looked to Noah for directions on where to stand and sure enough he was ready for me, gesturing for me to play with heels on the outfield grass.

The fifth batter was up next. Garret threw his cutter twice for balls, both fell out of the zone. Then he came back inside only for the ball to be launched into center field. Jesse made the catch and hurried with his throw. The runner on third tagged up. Noah acted as cutoff, caught the ball and relayed it to home. Mitchell knew the play was no good. He greeted the ball and hurried to throw it to Jason at third. The runner from second base got scared off and retreated back to second. The runner on first never moved. 3-1. Two outs.

"Two outs! One to go!

" Noah hollered. A few of the guys echoed.

Batter six seemed to deliberately target Garret's cutter, swinging at the first pitch, getting a piece of it and sending the ball between me and a distant Sean. I dove for it and missed. Tanner had to come sprinting in, charging for the ball. The runner on second was long gone, rounding third and heading home. Tanner barehanded the ball and threw directly home. Mitchell had to reach for the ball and then try to make the tag on the sliding player.

"Safe!

" The umpire extended his arms. 3-2.

Mitchell gave the ball back to Garret on the mound. They shared a minute talk, giving me some time to dust myself off.

I couldn't make the play. If I did, we'd be out of this jam. Heck, if I had at least stopped the ball, that runner wouldn't have made it all the way home.

"Get out of your own head!

" Noah clapped his glove.

"Two outs, one to go!

"

I couldn't tell if his words were for me or for Garret. Maybe Garret couldn't either. Garret and Mitchell took on the seventh batter with fastballs. His fastest. No playing around or trying to get good placement. Simply overwhelmed the batter and earned a strikeout to end the inning. We kept our lead, but the margin was now at minimum.

"Rough inning, but way to fight it.

" Coach greeted us back in the dugout. He looked at Garret.

"They got to you.

"

Garret nodded.

"I slipped up. Got careless with my pitches.

"

"Not every pitch needs 110% effort, but it does need 110% of your attention.

" Coach told him. He nodded towards Alisha.

"Go get your pitch count. One more inning left for you at most. I have Brian warming up already.

"

Garret nodded again and went over to Alisha.