Down by three, it wasn't hard to imagine why the dugout was as quiet as a mouse. Top of the fifth, starting with the top of our lineup. If we didn't get something going now, it'll be a questionable ending for us.
"Make something happen, Jake." Noah whispered to me.
I gave him a tight smile, trying to be upbeat. "Sure. I'll get on."
"That's not enough!" He blurted out. "We need runs this inning or this might actually be your last at-bat."
"Hey, hey." Mahki overheard us on his way out of the dugout. "Just relax guys. We can do anything the other team can do. We both made it to the semifinals." He gave Noah a reassuring grin, looking more confident than I felt. "Rely on your seniors a little. We'll carry you to victory." He left us and the dugout.
"I rather rely on you, Jake." Noah rested his chin in his hands, elbows on the knees. Him being hunched over like that, made him look smaller than he really was. He must be feeling insecure.
