Stealing Home: A Diamonds and Dugouts Novel by Seasons Jennifer

Author:Seasons, Jennifer [Seasons, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2013-04-01T22:00:00+00:00

ONE OUT WAS left in the bottom of the ninth, Philly at bat. Mark watched Peter wind up the pitch through the metal cage of his helmet. Walskie was pitching his heart out tonight and holding his own. It was impressive he was still going strong in the ninth, his throws still on target and fast. He was definitely earning himself a few days of rest and recovery.

The Rush were up 3–2.

They were hot tonight. They were out to prove themselves and they were pulling out all the stops. Outfielders were making the cleanest relays of the season, the infield was making double plays left and right, and he was guarding home with ruthless efficiency.

Mark was holding his own.

He had to keep it up for one more out, that’s all. One more out and his team moved one step closer to the playoffs. They were busting ass for it. Hell, they suffered bruises and divorces for it.

Now they just had to put the lid on the game.

Like a predator, Mark followed the ball with his gaze, never taking his eye off Peter. At bat was a pinch hitter for the Phillies pitcher—a hard-nosed slugger come to clean up and even the score. Mark knew the player’s reputation and calculated the pitch. Signaled it to Kowalskin. He knew the Philly batter was lethal if the ball was low and outside, but weak if it came at him high and inside. In preparation Mark shifted to his left, prepared for the pitch. If Peter threw it right the pinch hitter would swing and find only air.

After an intense moment the ball came and the batter swung hard, missed, and swore. Mark threw the ball back to Peter and signaled the same pitch again. The Philly batter couldn’t resist swinging at those high and inside throws.

Again, Peter wound up and released, the ball zooming toward him at an incredible speed. And again the batter swung, only this time catching a piece of the ball with the bat and sending in flying into foul territory.

Two strikes.

On a deep breath, Mark settled into a crouched position again and decided to call the same pitch. If it wasn’t broke, now wasn’t the time to fix it. Peter nodded agreement and the ball came hard on the inside.

At the last minute the slugger pulled his swing and connected on a bunt. The ball fell dead a few feet in front of home plate. The batter dashed off toward first, hoping to outrun the play.

On his feet instantly, Mark streaked toward the ball, moving with amazing agility and speed. Kowalskin was racing in from the pitcher’s mound, and Paulson called to him from first.

In one fluid motion, Mark scooped up the ball, pivoted, and drilled the ball hard toward Paulson’s waiting glove. The contact sounded with a thwack as the pinch hitter dove headfirst toward safety at first.

“Out!” The first base umpire pumped his arm and yelled.

The crowd went ballistic. Mark shut it out, closed his ears to the noise.

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