The Cracks in Perfection

The Score in Baseball

Chapter 22:

Seth

Our last game of the season. It was Thursday and my nerves were skyrocketing. We made it, win this game and we won states. Our best pitcher was at the mound. I was in my position: left field. Our here, I dominated. I made sure any balls that made it this far out were in my glove, or thrown back to the infield in seconds.

Of course, there were college scouts here. As it was too late for review of the seniors, they were here for the juniors. And the others, of course, but they would be focusing on the juniors. Meaning me, Wes, and the others.

The pitcher was named Jake, a freshman who made varsity the second he stepped onto the mound. They'd be watching him too.

First Inning.

Jake struck out the first two guys. The third guy hit a double. The second guy hit a fly ball straight towards me. Third out.

We got a couple hits in, man on third and a man on first, by the time Wes was up. He ripped the ball straight down the middle and it bounced twice before the other team caught it and threw it in. One run for us, man on third and man on first. A strike out. Man out at home. Man on second and man on first. Fly ball, caught, out.

Fourth Inning.

Still 1-0. Jake was still pitching. One strikeout. Man on first and second. One player tried to steal and slid into third, twisting his ankle. He couldn't walk and had to be replaced on the field. They got a hit straight towards first base, which rocketed to Wes as catcher. Double play.

We got two runs.

Fifth Inning.

The ball fired straight towards Jake. It hit him in the nose and he had to go to the hospital. Broken nose, probable concussion, and he's lucky it's not worse. We were out of our best pitcher.

Our backup pitcher allowed two runs and struck out one player. Score: 3-2. The ball bounced towards me and I fielded it perfectly before firing it to Ryan at shortstop, who tagged the runner out there and amazingly flipped the ball to Tony at second. Another double play.

The other team allowed us to get bases loaded. We scored two runs. Then they got a triple play.

Seventh Inning.

For some reason, center field was out of position when a fly ball headed straight for the space in between our two zones, and I sprinted as fast as I could to get the ball. I dove and caught it right before it hit the ground. I prayed to God that one of the scouts saw that. Then, our pitcher choked. He was a sophomore who had been on JV the year before. Bases loaded. Home run. Score: 5-6. We were losing for the first time that game. Coach put our closing pitcher in early.

Two strikeouts and a catch by third baseman.

We were back in the dugout. Man on second. Wes struck out. Man on first and a man on third. Signature Seth Slugger. Score: 8-6. Our shortstop sprained his wrist sliding into home. Score: 9-6. We were out a shortstop.

Ninth Inning. Final Inning.

Our infield was slightly messed up. Our only backup shortstop was also our third baseman. Our second catcher was then forced to play third base. Strikeout. Man on third. Fly ball to right field, he caught it, but fell and rolled his ankle as he landed. We were out a right fielder. We always brought one or two swingers from JV, and coach put one in right field. Two runs. Score: 8-8. Strikeout.

Our last chance to score. If we scored even one run, we would win states. The other team didn't let up. Two strikeouts. Man on second and a man on first. Our second baseman, Tony, hit a home run. Final score: 11-8, George Matthews High School won states.