1 RF Bryce Finn

3 2B Jake Atkins

5 3B Jason Morris

7 1B Sean Isner

9 P Dave Atkins

"I think we know that guy.

" Bryce lowered his voice, speaking to me and Noah.

I scratched my cheek.

"Did he pitch in the game I didn't go to?

"

Noah started to nod.

"Okay, yea. I think I remember. Servite made a lot of contact early, but didn't score until later on.

"

"Yea, Golden West was relying a lot on their fielding in that game.

" Bryce said.

"He gave up a killer three run homer before getting pulled so he's not unbeatable.

"

We nodded. We all had some small impression of this guy. Bryce and Noah left the dugout to take their practice swings. Garret soon joined me in the hole, pulling his batting gloves on.

Bryce came back and I went out; Noah moved to the batter's box. There wasn't much to say when Bryce had only seen two pitches. Noah's first pitch was also in the zone. He didn't let it pass, making solid contact. Unfortunately, it was a line drive straight to the shortstop. Three pitches, two outs.

I moved to the batter's box, choosing to bat as a lefty. I knew what I had to do in this first at bat. Give this guy a hard time on the mound. He can't get away doing just a handful of pitches of every inning. Not unless he gives up real hits.

Mr. Miller got my attention and gave me the sign to hit. I guess he didn't want me to waste anymore pitches. I sent pitch seven to right field, dropping it in the grass before the outfielder could reach. Just a single.

I nodded.

I jogged back to the dugout, meeting up with Garret and Coach.

I nodded in agreement.

I nodded again.

Garret nodded.

Bottom of the first with Dave on the mound. He started out strong, getting the first batter to go down swinging. First out, first strikeout of the game. He grinned as I heard our parents cheered his name. The next batter pulled a grounder to Noah's backhand. Noah stopped the ball from getting through, transitioned the ball to his throwing hand as he spun around, and was able to throw the guy out at first.

"Good job, Noah!

"

Dave got the ball back and got set for the third batter. The batter pulled the first pitch down the left field line. Korrey sprinted to the line and made a sliding catch before the ball could touch the grass. He jumped up and threw the ball back in, excited.

"Nice one!

"

Our team jogged back to the dugout in good spirits.

Dave grinned and flexed his right bicep.

"Feeling good.

" He then patted Noah on the head.

"That was a nice backhand. Good range.

"

Noah and I sat down together as the middle of our lineup started the second inning. Coach talked to Jason, Korrey, and Sean about what we observed in the first inning. Jason tried his best to keep his bat over the ball, hitting a grounder down the line. But the third baseman made a barehand catch and threw him out at first. Korrey hit a long fly ball to left that the outfielder caught at the warning track. Sean's first at bat back from injury didn't go smoothly either. On an 0-2 count, he checked his swing, drawing it back too late, but it didn't matter. The ball was still in the zone.

I nodded.

"He really trusts his fielders. Dave is very similar though.

" I eyed Noah.

"You know this guy is throwing nothing but strikes, right?

"

I covered my mouth with my glove and lowered my voice.

"Drop a surprise bunt next time. I bet you'll beat it out. The corners play back to stop anything from bouncing through.

"

The cleanup hitter hit a long fly to the right field fence, but Bryce chased it back and made another stellar catch. His second in two games. Even though he was a pitcher, his fielding was no worse than anyone else that plays in the outfield.

Dave wrapped up the second inning quick with back-to-back swinging strikeouts. He was the loudest of us all as we jogged back to the dugout.

"Let's go!

"