Carson reached it first and saw Nesbitt crossing third on the dead run. Nothing but a clean throw to the plate would stop a score, and Berlin did his best to make it. The throw was too high, Hodge being forced to retreat a few feet to get the ball, and Nesbitt crossed the pan with the score that tied.
Then the rooters for the home team vented their delight with wild howls of joy, and Robinson said to Hayward:
“We’ve got them going. If you can start right in hitting, we’ll win the game in this inning.”
Hayward felt that this was true, and he stepped up to the plate overflowing with confidence and determination.
Merry gave Robinson a drop, and the latter missed it cleanly. Then, just when the fellow was looking for a variation, Frank put over another of the same kind and fooled him again. Hayward muttered something to himself, and Frank laughed. The batter gripped his stick, thinking:
“He’ll waste the next two.”
Then, when he was expecting a “bender,” Frank put the next one straight over, and Hayward let it pass.
“You’re out!” came from the umpire.
Hayward savagely flung his bat aside, while the great crowd cheered loudly.