The Stars were fighting for the game. It looked rather dangerous now, but Frank did not let that worry him. Had his wrist been in good condition, he would have found a way to stop the run-getting in short order. But he could not use the double-shoot, and so was compelled to rely on his support when the opposing batters hit him hard. And his support had not been of the first class, except during the first of the game.
Corrigan was a good waiter, but Merry started in to compel him to hit. Maloney went down to second on the first ball pitched.
Hodge threw like a bullet for second. Carson cut in as if intending to take the throw, and this kept Hanson from trying to score.
Seeing Hanson did not try to go home, Carson let the ball pass, and Rattleton caught it, putting it on to Maloney.
“Out at second!” declared the umpire.
This was team-work. Had Hanson started for home, Carson would have caught the ball and driven it straight to the plate to cut him off there. The opposing team had fancied Carson meant to take the ball, anyhow, which is an old trick. In this they had been fooled completely.
Two men were out. Another out without a score would give the game to Merriwell.
Corrigan looked anxious, and Frank tried to work him for a strike-out. Merry got himself into a bad hole, and was compelled to put the ball over. Corrigan hit it fairly and drove it out.
As two men were out already, Hanson did not pause at third, but came home immediately. Swiftwing was forced to make a hard run, and then, as if to offset his former brilliant catch, he muffed the ball.
The score was tied. Corrigan was on first. Dorrity ran in from the coaching-lines and got a bat.