“Oh, I suppose it’s all over the league by this time,” put in Peaches. “But it couldn’t be helped. It was like a dose of bitter medicine, but we took it, and I think it’s going to do us good.”
“You mean we’re going to do you good,” laughed Elmer. “We’re going to trim you again to-day.”
“Not much!” cried Ward. “We’ll win. Come now, a little wager between you and me—for the sodas, say.”
“You’re on!” agreed Elmer. “Where’s your batting list?”
The two captains walked over to the scoring bench to arrange the details of the game. The two teams were made up as follows, this being the batting order:
| EXCELSIOR— | |
| George Bland | centre field |
| Dick Lantfeld | left field |
| Harry Nelson | second base |
| Nat Pierson | third base |
| Tom Davis | first base |
| Charles Borden | shortstop |
| Harry Lauter | right field |
| Joe Matson | pitcher |
| Ward Gerard | catcher |
| MORNINGSIDE— | |
| Dunlap Spurr | centre field |
| Will Lee | shortstop |
| Wilson Carlburg | left field |
| Ted Clay | pitcher |
| Wallace Douglass | catcher |
| Elmer Dalton | first base |
| Walker Bromley | third base |
| Loftus Brown | second base |
| Harry Young | right field |
The Excelsiors were to bat last, and while the rival crowds of school boys were singing, cheering and giving their class yells, Joe Matson walked to the box for the second time as pitcher on the school nine in a big school league game. No wonder he felt a trifle nervous, but he did not show it, not even when some one yelled:
“Look at the new pitcher they’ve got! We’ll get his number all right.”