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When Brian was ready, Noah stepped up to the plate. Brian didn't have any noticeable changes like getting more muscular like Bryce did, but he did look more confident in his pitching. 

Noah fouled off the first couple of pitches, putting himself in a disadvantageous 0-2 count. Brian threw a fastball low and away. Noah swung late, just barely getting a piece of it. The ball dribbled down the first baseline, right into the glove of Julian. All he had to do was pick the ball up and kick first base for the final out. 

Noah came back to me with a scrunched up nose. "Ugh. I'm 1-4 on the day. Not pretty for the stat sheet."

"You made contact during every at-bat." I tried to comfort him as we went back inside the dugout to grab our gloves. "You had a couple of line drives that just couldn't leave the infield. Just a bit unlucky today."