And when the next two men never even touched the ball there was joy unbounded in the ranks of the home team, for now they saw a chance for victory.
“I don’t see that you did anything,” whispered Mersfeld to Bondy as the change was made for the ending of the fifth.
“Didn’t get the chance,” whispered back the plotter. “I was nearly caught. But this isn’t the only game. There’ll be other opportunities.”
Westfield was at the bat, and it must have been the effect of Bill’s pitching for every man up made a hit, and the bases were soon filled. But only two runs came in, for the opposing team took a brace at an opportune time for themselves, and in season to prevent too heavy scoring by the Westfield lads.
“Now only six runs to beat ’em!” called Captain Graydon cheerfully, as though that was a mere trifle. “Keep up the good work, Bill, and we’ll dedicate a chapel window to you.”
Bill did. He surpassed even his own previous pitching records, and did not allow a hit in that inning, while in their half of it Westfield got one, making the score four to eight in their opponents’ favor.
“Now for the lucky seventh!” called the coach, when that inning started. “Don’t let them get a run, Bill, and help our fellows to pull in about a dozen.”
Bill smiled, and—struck out the first two men. Then one of the heavy hitters managed to get under a neat little up shoot, and sent it far out over the left fielder’s head. It was good for two bags, and the next man brought the runner in, to the anguish of Bill, who feared he was slumping, as there had been two hits off him in succession. But with a gritting of his teeth he held his nerves in check, and that ended the scoring for the first half of the seventh.
“Now, boys, eat ’em up!” pleaded coach and captain as Bill and his teammates came in. They did, to the extent of three runs, which seemed wonderful in view of what had previously been done, and there was a chance for wild yelling and cheering on the part of the home rooters.
With the score seven to nine, when the eighth opened, it looked better for Westfield’s chances, and when she further sweetened her tallies with another run, brought in by Pete, there was more joyful rioting.