Mr. Shay had very little to say either on the way back to Charlemont or later. A slump is something that is almost certain to happen to the best regulated ball teams, and scolding seldom helps much. The players had a lay-off on Monday and a short, if sharp, practice on Tuesday. The contest with Springfield Preparatory School was not considered important, although as Springfield had given Maple Ridge several good drubbings in the past the Light Green was naturally not averse to a victory. Whether the team had recovered from its slump was a matter of conjecture on Wednesday, and the school was divided in prophecy, many predicting an overwhelming defeat for Maple Ridge and others foretelling a close victory.
The game was played at Springfield. Sam was in the box for the visitors. From the second inning the contest was a batting-fest, with honors about even. Sam’s slants struck no terror to the hearts of the home team and they landed on them unerringly. On the other hand, the Springfield pitcher fared no better, and with two on bases in the third inning Gus Turnbull brought the Maple Ridge supporters to their feet by knocking out a home run that put the Light Green in the lead. This lead was held until the eighth, when Watkins muffed a long fly and let in two runners. Shortly after that Watkins pulled off his second error, allowing a ball which he had been unable to reach in time to catch to bound by him. It was clear that Maple Ridge was still feeling the effects of the slump, although convalescence had set in. The infield made four errors, of which only one proved costly, and Dolph had two passed balls chalked against him when the game was over. But in spite of this Maple Ridge triumphed by inaugurating a batting rally in the first of the ninth, tying the score with Truesdale’s sacrifice fly that brought in Sam, and taking a two run lead later, when, with two out, Ted, Dolph and Cassart all hit safely. In the last of the inning Maple Ridge tightened up and, although Springfield got two men on bases, no runs were scored, and Maple Ridge traveled home with a 10 to 8 victory tucked away.
Jack adorned the bench during the whole of that game and it required all of Sam’s eloquence to comfort and encourage him.