Luke and Hiram were almost in a panic. They saw the team they had so carefully built up in danger of disintegration; and holding a hasty conference, warning was sent to every school player to do his very best to get the scrub side out without another run.
Frank did it, for he struck out the next man, and Joe died at second. But the scrub had one run and the school nine nothing. It was a poor beginning for Excelsior’s chances at the Blue Banner when the players realized what a strong team Morningside had, and how efficient were the other nines in the league.
I am not going to describe that first school-scrub game in detail. I shall have other more important contests to tell you about, as the story goes on. Sufficient to say that after the ending of the first inning Hiram and Luke went at their lads in such a fierce spirit that there was a big improvement.
Joe kept up his good work in the box, but he had not yet “found” himself that season. He was not hardened enough; he lacked practice, and his arm soon gave out. Then, too the fielding of the scrubs was ragged, after Joe once began to be hit. The result was that the school nine began to pile up runs, and Hiram and Luke were jubilant.
“Now, where’s your wonderful pitcher?” asked Luke of Ward.
“Oh, he’s coming on. No use to work him too hard at first,” replied the scrub captain good naturedly. “Look out for your own.”
This advice was needed, for, after helping his team to get a good lead, Frank Brown also rather went to pieces and when the game was over the school team led by only two runs.
“That’s too close for comfort,” observed Hiram to Luke, as they walked off the diamond. “Frank has got to do better than that.”
“Oh, he’ll be all right after a little more practice,” spoke the captain.
“If he isn’t Larry Akers will go in,” warned the manager.