There was silence as Fred slipped over a strike.
Again that roar with the second ball.
“Strike!”
“Ball!”
“There you are!” the big voice roared. “Two and three! Let’s see you get out of that!”
Fred caught his breath. Bases full. Three balls, two strikes, and—“If only the old soup-bone holds out!” he murmured.
His hand went out. It came back. He shot the ball straight from the shoulder. Then, without knowing why, he followed the ball. Lucky break! The batter connected. He sent a bouncer straight into Fred’s mitt and he half way to the plate. With a mad dash he was there to cut off the run to the plate. Next he sent the ball speeding to first.
“Double play! Double play!” the crowd roared. And so it was. The inning was over. For the moment, at least, all was well.
Inspired by his unusual success in pulling his team out of the hole, Fred pitched the remaining innings with the skill of a genius. He allowed only five hits, and left but three men on base. Hillcrest scored three runs in the seventh, to cinch the game. In the end Fred was carried from the field in triumph.
“Another big day Wednesday, and we’ll win!” exulted Doug Danby.