Intimidating Adversity: Day 13

Word Count: 78,026

Summary of Events:

The city of Kannapolis had a parade sendoff to celebrate the Intimidators making the playoffs, which Lane was surprised by. Their first opponent, the Hagerstown Suns, came out shaky, and Lane and the Intimidators capitalised. The series was tied at one game apiece when it returned to Kannapolis, where the fans nearly rioted because Spencer was starting; Lane calmed them and got into a confrontation with Spencer. There was a slight improvement in Lane and Spencer's relationship, and Lane encouraged Spencer after he ended up giving up two out of a possible four runs with the bases loaded allowing Hagerstown to force another game and keep their playoff hopes alive. At home in Kannapolis the Intimidators were being held scoreless in a 1-0 game and getting frustrated . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

"Campbell swore and threw his batting gloves down as he stalked into the dugout, having again been struck out.

"You can tell who's the better team," Frasier said quietly.

And Lane hated it. He clutched the rail. He wanted to do something to throw the Suns off their game, but there was nothing he could do. He knew there wasn't anything other than to hold the Suns scoreless so that they could come back.

Once again Hagerstown held them scoreless. Lane swore in frustration. He was madder than ever and he didn't know what to do about it.

A hand settled on his shoulder, both calm and firm.

"Settle down Rookie," Spencer said. "You can do this, but no murder charges, alright?"

Lane took a trembling deep breath and let it out with just as much tremor from the raging tension in his shoulders.

Spencer slapped his shoulder. "Let's do this."

Lane led the way out onto the field and pitched strong, holding the Suns scoreless; Spencer was standing, watching them as they came in from fielding.

"Good job, now let's take risks those grannies aren't willing to," Spencer said. "Steal those bases. The risk takers win. Let's go out and show them the grannies they are."

Everyone nodded and they went out batting aggressively, running aggressively and they got a run home against the aggressive fielding of the Suns. The game was tied and the fans' cheering rose to a fever pitch.

Two innings. One run. Then the second round was theirs to play.

Lane went out and pitched strong, holding the Suns scoreless, although the Suns — despite the continued aggressive play of the Intimidators — held the Intimidators scoreless in the bottom.

Pitching the top of the inning, Lane was strong again and held the Suns scoreless.

"Alright," Spencer said when they returned. "One run. Let's get it done."

"Hashimoto sit," Mr. Quilley said. "Get your batting gloves Sheenan."

"But the doctors said–"

"To heck with them," Mr. Quilley said. "Your jaw's fine."

Lane hurried to the dressing room and fetched his gloves. He watched his teammates go out and bat and run for their lives. The Suns, unfortunately, tagged them all out. Lane could feel the tension rising. He hadn't batted in a long time, he'd be coming in cold.

It was his turn. Lane stepped out of the dugout to a near-deafening roar of the crowd who instantly took to chanting his name.

Lane swung the bat around a bit to get used to its weight. He then stood in the batter's box and waited. He let the first three go by without swinging, which caused the crowd to chant all the louder. Lane surveyed the loaded bases. He put the bat over his shoulder.

The pitcher readied. Lane swung the bat and connected with the ball. Releasing the bat instantly, Lane ran with all his might while the crowd roared. The ball was hopelessly out of reach for Hagerstown's fielders, and the Suns' season was over."