874 V3 ch109 Game Three: San Marino (1)

"Start strong." Noah gave Dave a hard pat on the back as we passed him on the way out of the dugout. The game was about to begin. 

Dave got on the mound and threw some more practice pitches until the umpire called for the game to begin, and for the first batter from San Marino to step up to the plate. 

Dave had a clean first inning: strikeout, strikeout, and a fly out to Jesse in right field. His pitch count stayed low and he went back to the dugout pumped up. The bottom of the first inning was about to begin. 

Sean, Garret, and Noah. 

"Get ready too." Noah told me before leaving me behind. 

I nodded, mostly to myself. No matter what, I would at least make it to the on deck circle. Putting on my helmet earlier wouldn't hurt. I got ready and grabbed my bat. I checked it over one more time for chips or breakage.