CARTER is sitting on the Charleston Capitols’ bench. LEWIS is sitting next to him.
LEWIS
You ready to pitch today?
CARTER
Yep, and I’m ready to prove again that I’m ace material.
LEWIS
I don’t care what you do, just as long as you get me a win. Big game today. Playoffs!
RAY approaches CARTER
RAY
Are you nervous?
CARTER
I’m hoping not to get ejected by the umpire in the first inning. I’d like to make it until at least the second or third inning until that happens.
RAY
Nah, you’ll be fine. Just get up there, throw some strikes, and let our fielders do the work if they make contact with the ball. You have a good team behind you and a good bullpen ready to pitch those last few innings.
CARTER
Noted.
RAY
And remember, this isn’t an elimination game. David had a great game yesterday.
CARTER
No need to remind me.
RAY
Sorry.
CARTER
It’s okay. I’m probably too obsessed about being ace again.
RAY
No you’re not. You’re a great pitcher. Give the team an outing that is undeniably great. No pressure.
RAY walks to the catcher’s box as CARTER walks to the mound. CARTER eventually throws five scoreless innings, with two hits. He is approached by NIC in the dugout after the fifth inning.
NIC
Nice going Carter. You have one more inning in you?
CARTER
Time will tell.
NIC
Come on, be more confident than that. You gave up no runs and only two hits. Sure, both of those hits came to batters with terrible batting averages, but at least they didn’t score.
CARTER
True. I have to face their best players now, though.
NIC
You’ve done it before. You have my support.
CARTER walks back on the mound for the sixth inning. He quickly strikes out the first two batters. He takes a deep breath as the opposing team’s best hitter steps up to the plate. RAY walks up to the mound for a meeting.
RAY
Whatever you do, try to make it cross the plate. I know it sounds obvious, but trust me, it isn’t.
CARTER
Not sure I know what that means.
RAY
I’ve noticed he doesn’t swing at balls that cross the plate all that much. Weird, I know.
CARTER
I’ll keep that in mind.
RAY walks back to the catcher’s box. CARTER throws the pitch, and the batter makes solid contact. NIC makes a diving play to make the third out. CARTER jogs back to the dugout.
CARTER
That was one good play there.
NIC
I told you that you have my support.
CARTER
I’ll be heading back to the clubhouse now.
NIC
What do you mean? You’re pitching seven today.
CARTER
Huh?
NIC waves LEWIS over.
LEWIS
What’s going on?
NIC
Carter thought he was done for the night.
LEWIS
Why would he be?
CARTER
I thought I always went six innings maximum.
LEWIS
You’re going seven today.
CARTER
Okay then. Hopefully I don’t screw up.
CARTER pitches a seventh inning, giving up one hit and no runs.
LEWIS
Good job today. You’re really proving yourself to be ace material.