The Lakeport players were much crestfallen, but did their best not to show it.
While the cheering was going on and Joe was preparing to pitch once more the runner at first tried to steal to second. Like lightning Joe delivered the sphere into the hands of Link and the runner was put out. This brought the first inning to a close. A score board had been erected, and up went the score, in chalk:
| Excelsiors | 1 |
| Lakeports | 0 |
"That's hard luck, no use of talking," said Bart, as he came in. "Boys, we must do something this inning."
"If we can," added Paul.
"No use of getting discouraged," came cheerfully from Harry. "This game is young yet."
Frank Pemberton was the first player to bat in the second inning.
"Here comes Cheeky," cried one of his friends. "He'll show 'em a trick or two."
"Another victim!" roared an Excelsior enthusiast.
The run gained made Si Voup feel good and he walked to the box feeling very important. Then he sent in an outer curve.