The next was a ball, but then came two strikes, and much crestfallen Jackson retired, while the supporters of Company A cheered Ritter.
Dale came to the bat next and had one strike called on him. Then he hit out a safety and got to first with ease.
“Hurrah! Now keep up the good work!” cried a supporter of Company B.
As before, Pepper followed Dale. He watched the ball closely, and had two balls called on him and a strike. Then he got just what he wanted and lined out a beautiful two-bagger. Dale was on the alert and by the time Pepper got safely on second he slid home, amid a wild cheering.
“That’s the way to do it!”
“You’ve got Ritter going! Keep up the good work!”
“My, but wasn’t that a beaut of a two base hit?”
Andy was now at the bat. Plainly Ritter was getting nervous and soon he had two balls called on him.
“Don’t let him walk—make him hit it!” was the cry.
“I’ll fix him!” muttered the bully sourly, and then sent in a ball directly over the plate.