“Just what the doctor ordered!” cried Rush, as Cronin hit the ball.
It was a clean drive to left field, and, by swift running, Cronin succeeded in reaching second before the ball could be fielded in.
“Why, how easy he is!” laughed Rush. “Put it over the fence, Sparks.”
Sparks, the centre fielder of the Elks, was the next batter.
Although Merry was greatly displeased with himself, he did not betray it. He knew it was the easiest thing in the world for a disappointed pitcher to take the spirit out of an entire team.
Hodge was cheerful.
“Accidents will happen, Merry,” he said. “Never mind that.”
Apparently Frank did not mind.
“I’ll have to try the double shoot for a strike-out ball,” he mentally decided.
Sparks expected to find Frank easy.