1 2B Dalton Nelson
2 SS Noah Atkins
3 1B Sean Isner
4 CF Garret Knudsen
5 RF Korrey Alvarrez
6 LF Jesse Shipman
7 3B Jason Morris
8 C Mitchell Torres
9 P Brian Swoope
A lot of eyes were on me after Coach had announced the lineup. I shifted uncomfortably. Noah had pursed his lips together, looking like he was holding himself back from saying something he shouldn't.
"I'll address the elephant in the room: yes, I didn't put Jake in the lineup today." Coach said, looking around. "Not to punish him or this team. I think Jake is great. Heck, it's acknowledged by those guys that decide player rankings. But I feel like this team's mindset has changed a little after the Christmas tournament and the Tulare Invitational. You guys think you need him to win." He waved his hand at some of the guys who wanted to speak up. "No, no. It's clear in the dugout. I've started to hear sighs and groans when Jake gets intentionally walk instead of cheers of a free base."
