“Play ball!” called the umpire, after the warm-up practice. The scrubs were to bat first, and Gene Flarity was up.
The game commenced. It was not remarkable for brilliant playing on either side, but Ned, Bob and Jerry, determined to show their mettle, worked so hard, and Ned and Jerry teamed it to such good advantage that the score was soon tied, which had not happened to the varsity in a long while.
“And here’s where we beat ’em!” exclaimed Ned, when the ninth inning came, and he was at bat. Ned made a good hit. It was safe for two bags, and when Chet Randell duplicated, after one man fanned out, Ned came in with the winning run. That is, it would be if he could hold the varsity hitless.
And he did. He struck out the first man, while the second singled and was caught napping at first.
“Come on now, boys, we want to get this game!” cried Frank. He was at bat, and with two out, there was but a slim chance. But Frank was a pinch hitter, and he faced Ned with a sneer.
“You won’t win the game!” thought Ned, bitterly.
He sent in a swift ball, and it looked as though it was going to hit Frank, who moved back just a trifle.
“I’ve got your number all right,” exulted Ned.
Frank hit the next one, but it was a foul which the catcher made desperate efforts to get.
“And you’re out!” Ned whispered to himself, as he sent in a beautiful curve, which completely fooled the batter.
“And did you see Bob scoop up that hot grounder and get it to first?”
“Well, the varsity didn’t really get warmed up.”
“That home run of Sid Lenton’s was a peach, though!”
These were some of the comments that could be heard as the students filed off the diamond after the sensational finish of the practice game.
“Well, you did us,” said Bart Haley, with a smile at Jerry.
“But we’ll do you next time,” added Bill Hamilton.
“Well, I hope you do,” admitted Jerry. “We want the varsity to beat its other college opponents, and we scrubs are willing to be beaten if that comes about.”
Frank did not join in the talk, but there was a sullen look on his face. Clearly he did not fancy being beaten, especially when it was due to the work of Ned primarily, and to his own failure to hit, secondarily.
“Great work, boys! Great!” ejaculated Tom Bacon, captain of the scrubs. “That was a peach of a pick-up of yours, Bob.”