"Strike one!"
Next Joe signaled a high inshoot and sent in the ball without delay. Once more Voup was fooled and only fanned the empty air.
"Strike two!"
"Take your time, Si!" called a friend.
Again the ball came in. It was such a good one, Voup did not dare to let it go by. He struck—and missed once more.
"Three strikes—batter out!"
"Hang the luck!" roared Si Voup, and threw his bat on the ground with great violence.
The next player went out on a foul to third. Then Joe steadied up once more and the third player went out on strikes as Voup had done.
"No runs this trip for the Excelsiors!"
"Now, Lakeports, see what you can do!"