“And do your best,” added Darrell. “I don’t care how many of our fellows you strike out. Every one, if you can.”
Joe’s heart gave a bound of delight. It might be the beginning of the very chance he had been waiting for so long. He calmed himself with an effort for he did not want to get “rattled.”
“All right,” he answered as though he had been used to such sudden emergency calls all season. “I’ll see what I can do. I’d like a chance to warm up, though.”
“Sure. You and Jake Bender go over there and practice for five minutes. Then we’ll play a five-inning game.”
The Stars were to bat first, and there was a mocking smile on the face of Sam Morton as he watched his rival go to the box.
“Don’t strike us all out,” called Sam. “We’ve had hard luck enough lately.”
The game began, and it was for “blood” from the very start. Joe was a trifle nervous, especially when he had two balls called on his first two efforts. Then he braced himself, and, not trying for speed, sent in a slow, easy ball that completely fooled the batter, who eventually struck out.
“Pretty good for a starter,” complimented Darrell. Sam Morton scowled.
The next batter hit an easy fly which was so promptly gathered in by the shortstop that there was little use in the player starting for first. Then Joe struck out the next lad after he had hit a couple of fouls.
“That’s the stuff!” cried Tom Davis, as he patted his chum on the back. “You’ll be in the box for the Stars yet.”