The Game

Work (Sam's POV)

It was the 7th inning, we are up by one.

"Okay Leah, it's your time to shine. Maddie pitched all game, I need you to hold them for this last inning." I told Leah as I put on my catching gear.

She gave me a nervous smile as she began to walk out into the circle, I soon followed out onto the field and situated myself behind home plate.

The batter hits the first pitch Leah throws, it was a hard grounder to 2nd. I look to see Gretchen dive to stop it, she throws from her knees perfectly to 1st to get the girl out. We now had one down.

The 2nd batter, I could see Leah struggling to find the zone, she threw 2 balls in a row. I decide to be risky and signal for her to throw a fast ball down the middle. The batter reacts just how I wanted her to. The girl swings out of her shoes trying to get a piece of it. I smile as I signal for Leah to now throw a change up.

She throws a perfect change up, the batter watches it as the ump calls it a strike. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest, need one more pitch for a strike out.

The batter was ready this time though, she times up Leah's outside pitch and knocks it out to left field. I stand to see our left fielder Brooke take a couple steps to the right and catch it. We had two down.

One last batter and we will win our first game of the season. The third batter up was a slapper, I signaled to Leah to throw inside.

The girl does a defensive swing and knocks the softball foul. I signal for Leah to throw a rise ball inside. The batter misses it for strike 2. I smile as I signal for the same pitch, she ends up slapping it down 3rd base line. Chloe our third basemen was ready for it though, she fields it cleanly and throws solidly across the field for the final out.

I run out into the circle and hug Leah. "I'm so proud of you." I tell her.

She gives a nervous laugh as she hugs me back.

After the game, Gretchen drags me over to the baseball field. It was their first league game tonight as well.

I look at the score board, it was the 6th inning and we were up 5-2.

I smile as I sit in the bleachers, Chase was up to bat.

Chase was a fast guy, he was tall and lean.

I look to see a guy on 2nd and 3rd, with 1 down.

Chase bunts it to 3rd base side, the 3rd basemen runs and tries to throw him out at 1st base but he was too fast and was safe by 2 steps.

He got a RBI single, making the score 6-2 and advanced the runner to 3rd.

The pitcher throws and Chase takes off to steal 2nd, he slides into 2nd.

After a couple more batters the inning ended with us 7-2.

I watch as Ben takes the field for the final inning, he throws 2 warm up pitches and gives a nod to the catcher.

I smile as Ben throws 3 heated fastballs past the batter to strike him out. He gives a little nod to Cooper after every pitch, it's kinda cute.

Gretchen elbows me and I look over to see Ava leaning against the right field fence. She had her chin resting on her arms as she watched the game. I cough a little and don't say anything, I focus back into the game.

Ben throws another 2 fastballs to make the count 0-2. He winces as he misses his location and throws out of the strike zone for a ball.

I can see him clear his mind as he throws a slider in for a 3rd strike, I see him glance over at Cooper but something surprising happened. After he looked at Cooper, Bens eyes found mine.

He smiled at me as he turned his attention back on the next batter.

I see the catcher signal something, Ben gives a little nod as he winds up into his stance. He throws a drop ball causing the batter to swing and miss it.

Ben throws a fastball down the middle and the batter ends up knocking it out to center field. I see Ben turn to watch the play, Tyler back steps but then comes forward and successfully catches the ball for the 3rd out.

The team all goes out into the pitchers circle and start jumping around, I laugh as I watch them. My gaze then travels to Ava she was filming them on her phone. I smile and wave to Cooper as he looks up in the stands, he smiles and waves back to me and Gretchen.

I get up quickly and tell Gretchen I want to beat the traffic out of the parking lot.

As I reach my car, I hear running from behind me. I turn to see Ben out of breath from running out to catch me.

"You came to the game." He said.

I smile, "Yeah I did, even though that was exciting to watch. I'm even more excited to see you in a Vanderbilt uniform."

He smiles back, "I'll come to your next game when we don't have one scheduled on the same day. I have to see you play."

I laugh, "Okay I'll look for you."

I nod out towards the baseball field, "You should probably get back, it looks like there is a team meeting going on."

He starts to back step towards the field, "Thank you for coming."

He then turns and starts to run to the field.

I smile as I get in my car and head home.