"A three-bagger, sure," groaned Phelps.
But, as the shouting crowd calmed down, they saw that Dave Brandon's rapid recovery and accurate throw had held the runner at second.
"Well, that's going some, anyway!" cried Nat, hilariously.
"Bet if I was at bat now I could bring him in," said Hackett. "If you don't do some good stick work, Sam Manning, there'll be trouble."
Manning, vigorously chewing gum, had a determined glint in his eye.
"Frost is melting; Frost is melting; the pace is too warm for Frost!" shouted Kirk Talbot. "He's getting weak; his nerve is gone! Hi, hi, hi!"
"One ball!"
"I told you so!" snickered Kirk.
"One strike!"
"Take it easy, Sam. That was only an accident," advised John Hackett.