Chapter 33
Rhys settled the helmet on his head and reached for his bat.
Ezra sat at the end of the bench, leaning back and closing his eyes.
Recharging, he always referred to it, as if he was some computer which needed to be plugged in before the next inning.
Hey, if it worked and he had the same results as this first inning…
Almost an immaculate inning. If only the Sailor’s second batter hadn’t fouled off that one pitch.
Ezra was no Andre Mills–their usual ace pitcher who had been called up back in June–but plenty damn good.
It gave them the chance to score first now, even if Ryder had already struck out.
Nik was up at the plate, Caleb in the on-deck circle.
Rhys waited. He might end up having to wait until the next inning to get his chance at the plate, but he hoped not.
It just felt good to have his hands wrapped around that wood again.
Nik made just enough contact to get the ball into mid-center field and stopped at first. Rhys headed out to the on-deck circle.
There was a chance Caleb could ground into a double play here, and he’d have to go back into the dugout and put all his catcher’s gear back on.
It was a small chance, but it did still exist.
Caleb took two strikes, one swinging, and then three balls before there was a loud crack of the bat. He was off from home like a shot. It wasn’t going to go out, not enough height on it. It hit against the wall, and by the time the outfielder relayed it, Caleb stood up on second base.
Rhys let out a whoop as he headed for the plate. The catcher gave him the stink eye, but Rhys didn’t even care. They had this.
Two on, only one out. Now, as long as Rhys wasn’t the one who grounded into a double play. Not likely with Caleb in scoring position, but it could happen if they were able to tag Caleb out before throwing to first.
Which would be a disappointing way to end his first at-bat in a week. He stepped into the box, bringing the bat up over his shoulder and digging his back cleat into the dirt. He was so ready for this.
The first pitch was well wide of the plate, and Rhys kept the bat on his shoulder. He’d faced this pitcher once before, and that had been fairly early in the season. Rhys thought the lack of control might have just been getting warmed up, but it was still there more than halfway through the season.
It was the unpredictability which seemed to get him most of his outs. Rhys would have to be extra careful about waiting for a good pitch to swing at.
The next pitch was low, but Rhys was sure he could make contact with it.
He did, but a little too late, sending it arcing over the first base line and nearly hitting Patton in the coach’s box.
Rhys held up a hand and mouthed ‘sorry’.
Patton shook his head, and Rhys was sure he’d rolled his eyes.
Rhys smiled as he took a short swing before stepping back into the box.
High, outside, then right down the middle.
Too early on that one. Full count now. He had to make something happen this time, or at least keep spoiling off pitches.
He didn’t want to let down the team by getting them out of the inning already.
All he needed to do was get something into the outfield, and Nik should be able to score from third.
The next pitch was close to him, but it was still in the zone. He didn’t want to go down looking if he had to get out at all. He swung and felt the vibration up through his hands.
Rhys dropped the bat and ran toward first, his legs churning, though he wasn’t sure he’d be fast enough as the third baseman scooped the ball up.
“Safe,” the umpire called as Rhys ran through the bag.
Rhys came back, gasping. Patton smacked his shoulder as he took Rhys’s elbow and ankle guards. “Cutting it a little close. At the plate and getting here.”
“Yeah.” He flashed Patton a grin. “But, I got here.” He’d have to work on his sprints some more. With Nik and Caleb heading into the dugout, and two runs on the board, he would take the win.
Damn, it felt good to be back. Even when Jasper struck out looking and Alfie popped up to the first baseman, it couldn’t bring his mood down. Rhys could feel the smile stretching his face as he jogged to the dugout and started buckling on his catcher gear.
“You are too happy to have been left stranded on base,” Tavell told him.
“I’ve already got two ribbies to my name,” Rhys shot back. “We’re about to go out there and set them down in order again. Right, Ezra?”
“That’s the plan.” The pitcher jogged out toward the mound without another word.
It was a damn good one. Getting ahead early was a great way to start the game. Now, they had to stay there.
With that in mind, Rhys slipped on his chest protector, grabbed his helmet and mask, and headed out to do the job.