The last inning began, and the two haters of Merriwell watched it in despair.
The first man up was out on an easy one to Rattleton, who lined it across to Browning. Bruce gathered it in, smothering it in his glove and yawning at the same time.
The next man got a hit. He could not steal second, for he did not dare try, as Hodge had caught every man who tried it. But the following man hit the ball to Fales, who fumbled it, and then threw wild to first.
Over second scooted the runner, and he reached third ahead of the ball.
That placed a man on second and one on third.
Stubbs and Gooch brightened up.
“Here’s where they win the game!” cried the former.
Frank continued to smile. He did not seem at all anxious.
The next batter obtained two balls and then had a strike called on him. He hit the next one and once more it shot straight at Fales.
The man on third took a desperate chance and scooted for home.