The break they had looked for came in the eighth inning. By a supreme effort Longley managed, on a fumble by one of the new players for Colby Hall, to bring in another run, at which the cheering on their side was tremendous.
"That's the stuff! Two to nothing! Wallop 'em good and plenty, Longley!"
"We'll wallop 'em all right enough," exulted Tommy Flanders. "They are going to get the worst whitewashing they ever had—you mark my words."
Alas for the conceited young pitcher! His overconfidence made him a trifle wild, and almost before he realized it the first Colby Hall batter had got a safe hit to first and the second man up went to first on balls, advancing the other to second.
"Tighten up there, Tommy! Tighten up!" called out one of the Longley sympathizers.
"I'll tighten up, all right enough," answered Flanders, with a scowl.
The next player up got another single, the ball being fumbled by the fielder, and as a consequence the bases were filled.
"Be careful, Tommy!" cautioned the Longley captain, as he came up to the pitcher. "Be careful! We don't want to spoil the score."
"They won't get in. You just watch me and see," answered Flanders, and scowled more than ever.
He did tighten up a little, and as a consequence the next batter up went out on strikes and the following player on a foul fly.