We Come Alive 5

Playoff Game One

Friday afternoon soon came and so did the Jaguars to their away game for their first playoff game. The twenty teenagers and their coach and trainer arrived just fifteen minutes before the game was due to start.

Hurst made all the players file into the dugout so he could give them their pep talk that usually Ricky would do. Until he was found guilty later that week, Mateo just told everyone else who hadn't witnessed Ricky being arrested that he got a bad stomach flu and was hospitalized.

Clover ignored Hurst as she put on her mitt and adjusted her hat on her head. She looked up to her right when she felt someone nudge her. Baylor winked to her, his neck covered by his camouflage bandana with the military logo on the front.

"First time you ever played a serious baseball game before, sunshine?" He teased.

She rolled her eyes, hitting her fist into her glove. "Whatever. Just catch the ball and we won't have a problem."

Baylor gently pushed her when they walked onto the field to start the game. "What'd I tell you about being so cold towards me?" He smiled. "You look good though."

Clover just shook her head smiling, her thin army jacket that she had wrapped around her waist flying in the air behind her as she walked to the pitcher mound. She could only pitch with it around her waist, not batting.

Jose and Ethan glanced at each other from their spots as third basemen and shortstop respectively. Neither one of them really paid attention to the game since they knew that Clover would just strike people out.

"I got a date tomorrow." Jose sighed. "I'm having dinner with Colby's family tomorrow."

Ethan shrugged as he put his hands on his hips. "Okay? Doesn't sound too bad."

Jose groaned. "I've never been to his house before. I've just met his mom at the football games and stuff."

"Maybe he's homeless." Ethan shrugged. "Or his mom is a werewolf. Is tomorrow a full moon?"

Jose glared at his best friend. "She's not a werewolf. Werewolves aren't real, Eth." He looked forward when he heard the bat and ball connect.

Ethan reached down and caught the ball in his mitt. He chucked the ball over Clover's head and to Baylor at first base. Baylor caught it with his foot on the base getting the batter out.

Baylor tossed the ball back to Clover so she could continue pitching. Baylor glanced into the bleachers and smirked seeing his older sister Bianca sitting in the second row watching the game. When they made eye contact, she waved eagerly to him with a bright smile. Baylor waved back subtly with a hint of a smirk.

~~

Mid sixth inning, Stephen was up to bat. The score was 3 - 4, Jaguars up one. Stephen slowly walked up to plate and raised his bat behind his head. He shifted his weight on either foot, waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball. The moment he swung the ball, Stephen missed the ball but his bat left his fingers. He whipped around to see the ball flying towards his own dugout, sending his teammates scattering and the crowd into horror.

Right before it could hit anyone, Hurst caught the bat with one hand and tossed it back to the field. Stephen chuckled, jumping back from the bat so it didn't hit him when it landed.

"Thanks, coach." Stephen laughed.

Hurst shrugged one shoulder, chewing his gum. "Hold onto the bat a little tighter this time!" He called back.

The crowd clapped for Hurst who just kindly waved while Stephen picked up his bat and got back into position. When the pitcher threw a curve ball, Stephen swung and hit it just past the pitcher. He sprinted to first base, just barely beating the play from being called out.