Saturday, August 13, 2016

Intimidating Adversity: Day 12

Word Count: 72,022

Summary of Events:
Lane was feeling stressed before the game in which he could tie the franchise record for most consecutive individual wins, and so called Erv. After winning that game, Lane was looking for the win to break the record and nearly thought he'd lost it until a four-run play for the opposition turned into a foul ball that outed all four runners. Lane and Campbell then went out for ice cream and Lane saw a kid wearing a jersey with his name on it — something he'd never seen before — which Campbell talked him into signing. Having broken the league record for most consecutive individual wins, Lane was watching Spencer pitch the game that would clinch a playoff spot for Kannapolis, unfortunately the pressure was too much for Spencer and he was pulled, Kannapolis with a five-run deficit . . . 

Excerpt of the Day:
"As Spencer walked past him, Lane wished he could say something to pick Spencer up, but it hadn't  been a good game for Spencer, so he knew saying that wouldn't be a good idea, and that was the only idea he had, so he said nothing.
The Intimidators were held to one run at the bottom of the seventh. They headed out to field for the top of the eighth.
"Am I in?" Lane asked. He didn't want to go crossing Mr. Quilley, even though he felt he should be in.
Mr. Quilley gave no answer. 
It didn't take long for the umpire to come over and ask Mr. Quilley where his pitcher was.
"There," Mr. Quilley muttered, pointing at Lane.
Lane got his glove and walked out with the umpire to an exuberant cheer from the crowd.
"I didn't want to cross him and he didn't say I was in, otherwise I would've come out right away," Lane said to the umpire, who nodded as they parted ways.
Meeting the eyes of the batter, Lane stared him down until the batter looked away, then he pitched and the batter missed.
With relative ease — although it felt odd coming in mid-game — Lane managed to hold the Power scoreless for an inning. The deficit thus remained four runs.
"You know what we need to do to clinch a playoff spot," Lane said as they all switched catching gloves for batting ones. "Go and do it. For yourselves as much as for the fans. We all need this."
They all nodded.
"We want to get arrested for robbery tonight," Lane said. "Base robbery."
Campbell smiled and winked and everyone else, after getting it, smiled as well.
Lane rolled his lips between his teeth and pressed down on them as he watched his teammates go out there and hit. They managed to half the lead to two runs by getting two home — very much by the base robbery technique, which did prompt West Virginia to put up a bit of a fuss.
Finally it was the top of the ninth. Lane went out to hold the Power scoreless and leave the rest of it up to his teammates. He succeeded in holding them scoreless, although he did let some onto bases.
The crowd was slightly excited, but mostly tense, waiting.
"The game's in your hands guys," Lane said. "I can't do any more. Bring it home."
His teammates nodded and went out. Lane watched as they again went vigilante base-robbing, getting one run in early, heightening the tension in the crowd.
They got a second run later on. The crowd was even more tense and excited. Lane clutched the edge of the dugout fence.
Ozuru, the last batter, went up. The bases were loaded with Rolando, Dainon, and Campbell. To get even one home would win the game.
The pitch was thrown. Ozuru connected. The ball went high. The crowd roared. All four runners made it home. Kannapolis was in the playoffs."

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