"I'm glad you boys are still in the mood to laugh.

" Coach addressed everyone in the dugout.

"If you don't mind, we need to get our bats out there.

"

"I'm coming, Coach, I'm coming!

" Mitchell was at the end, trying to get his catcher's gear off. He tried to jog out in a hurry, but Coach stopped him.

"Coach?

"

"Take it easy. I don't mean you have to physically tire yourself out before getting to the plate.

" Coach looked around.

"Their pitcher has a good breaking ball. We all can see it. Best curveball I've seen at this level. I'm not asking everyone to get a hit, but I would like to see the ball put into play. Don't get caught looking. But don't try to chase.

" He looked at Mitchell.

"I don't care if you have to try to bunt. Make that pitcher work. No free passes.

"

"Yes, sir!

" Mitchell nodded. He left the dugout, head held high.

Kyle trailed behind him at a more leisurely pace. He was on deck and Tanner was in the hole.

Noah would only get a chance up if one of those three got in. He still had to get prepared though. After Mitch hit a grounder right to first for the first out, Noah got finished getting ready and moved to the hole near the dugout entrance and Coach.

I also had to get ready. Hat and glove off. Helmet and batting gloves on. I checked over my bat, feeling some small dents and grooves. This bat was well used. It felt kind of special knowing that I was using the same bats as a pro.

Kyle struck out, swinging at a curveball that nearly landed in the dirt. He came back with a sheepish grin.

Coach simply shook his head.

"When we get back, the pitchers are going to practice bunts for a week. In high school, there's no such thing as a pitcher only. Only in college and the majors.

"

"Ha. Ha.

" Kyle let out a weak laugh and hurried to his bag with his head down.

Tanner was up next. Noah was on deck and I moved to the hole, standing near Coach.

He looked down at me.

"You think I'm being tough on them?

"

"Who? Kyle?

" I asked.

"The pitchers.

" He elaborated.

I shook my head.

"Bunts are easy. Running is hard.

"

Garret laughed as he joined us near the dugout entrance.

"Don't listen to him, Coach. Jake has an unfair advantage.

" He put his arm around my shoulders.

"Easy is a relative term. I think pitching comes easy to me, but I wouldn't say it's easy for you.

"

I looked up at him.

"Do you think bunting is hard?

"

"I think it's boring and wasteful.

" He seemed to freeze, no doubt feeling Coach's eyes burning into him. He cleared his throat.

"I mean, it's a select skill with limited use. As a power hitter, my skill lies more in getting the ball to the outfield.

"

I nodded.

"I think that's better too.

"

Tanner put the ball into play, putting a pause on our conversation. It was a simple grounder to the second baseman for the third out. Noah was the first back into the dugout. Coach stopped him by raising his hand.

All three of us were confused, looking up at Coach.

"Noah will show everyone how important a good bunt is next inning.

" Coach announced.

"You think he can lay down a good bunt off that kind of curve?

" Garret was surprised.

"Of course I can.

" Noah said confidently. He gave Coach a thumbs up.

"You can count on me, Coach. Not only will there be a bunt laid down, but a runner on first.

" He looked to me.

"Drive me home, yea?

"

I pulled my batting gloves off.

"Uh, I'm not sure...

"

"You're not sure?

" Noah asked.

"It's a hard curve. Not that fast. I don't think I can hit it out of the park.

" I shrugged helplessly.

Noah turned to Garret.

"You'll have to drive us home.

"

Garret pushed Noah on the head and left to go back to his bag.

Coach patted Noah on the head.

"Stop putting pressure on everyone.

"

"You did it first.

" Noah accused.

"Go get your gloves.

" Coach ordered us away.

We hurried back to our bags and switched out our gear for defense.

Bottom of the fifth, Kyle was back on the mound starting with the sixth batter. The guy had previously hit a fly ball to Garret out in center field. He connected again, sending a sharp line drive right to Garret once more. Out number one.

Batter seven hit a grounder out of Jason's reach, but Noah was there, getting the ball with his backhand. He slid, jumped up, and threw a fast one to Sean, twisting his whole body.

"Out!

" The umpire ruled in our favor.

The runner looked like he wanted to argue but was redirected by his first base coach to go back to their own dugout. Good. I sighed with relief. Not like an umpire can change his mind anyway; there's no replays at this level.

Batter eight hit a routine fly to Korrey in left field to end the inning.

Back in the dugout, Noah and I got ready for our at bats and left the dugout together.

"What's the plan?

" I asked quietly as we watched University Prep players take the field. The pitcher was on the mound and the catcher behind the plate.

"For me? Do what Coach said.

" Noah grinned.

"For you? Find some open space.

"

Yea, okay. That was obvious enough. I definitely don't want to hit into a double play again.

The umpire gave them a minute before calling for Noah to step into the box. Noah surprised me, and probably everyone around, by swinging at the first pitch and completely whiffing. It was ugly. Horrendous even. He stood up straight as some laughs could be heard.

"Eye on the ball!

" I heard Zeke's voice clear through the noise. It made my shoulders relax, knowing that he was still around. Him and Mom and Dad. All in the stands cheering us on.

The second pitch was another curve. Noah shifted his bat to a bunt, dropping the ball down the third baseline, trying to catch the third baseman slacking. Noah didn't stick around to see if it would stay fair. He dropped his bat and was sprinting to first. It was the catcher who came out from behind home plate to go get the ball. He seemed to hesitate, trying to decide if he should let the ball roll foul. I guess he determined it would stay fair because he picked it up and threw to first. Another close one.

I held my breath.

"Safe!

" The umpire declared. Our favor again. I clenched my fist and let out a puff of air.

I moved up to the batter's box, choosing to be a lefty again. I need to be extra comfortable right now to get a hit. I focused on the pitcher, but his focus was split between me and Noah at first. He did two check throws before throwing me a pitch for a ball.

"C'mon Bambi!

"

"Knock it out of the park!

"

"Get a hit! Get a hit!

"

The chant to get a hit started to grow. All of my dugout, some of the families and people in the stands. It almost felt like everyone was cheering for me. University fans had a smaller chant echoing, feeling distant, 'Get him out.'

The pitcher checked on Noah again. Then threw a curve my way. It was falling into the zone perfectly. For me. Not so much for him. I swung and sent the ball down the right field line, making the outfielder chase it to the corner.

"Nice!

"

"Good hit!

"

"To three!

"

"Three!

"

"Slide!

"

Everyone was yelling as I ran to first. I rounded first base, but saw that the right fielder had gotten the ball. I didn't want to risk it so I retreated back to first, happy with my single.

Noah was never satisfied with staying on second. He had long committed to going to third. I watch the relay throw come in and go to third base, but Noah was already holding onto the bag. Clearly safe.