CHAPTER XIX
Had the boys not rehearsed this play many times, they never could have worked it. Indeed, so swift was the ball that it almost knocked the second baseman over, while sharp pains ran through his arms. But he managed to hold the ball.
"Go back! Go back!" shouted the Landon contingent, as one man. "Don't force third."
In a desperate dive, the runner strove to reach second base. But Fred tagged him out.
FRED TAGGED HIM OUT
FRED TAGGED HIM OUT
FRED TAGGED HIM OUT
During this play, the man on third had started for home.
Warned by his team mates, Fred whipped the ball across the diamond in a low, straight throw.
"Runner out!" shouted the umpire, and a cheer of relief broke from the Baxter throats.
Mitchell proved an easy out, shortstop to first base.
Hal's team retired in order in their half. No runs were scored by either side in the eighth inning, and Landon failed to cross the plate in their half of the ninth.
"Make it extra innings!" shouted the home enthusiasts. "That pitcher's tiring!"
"Here's where we win, boys," exclaimed Hal to his men. "If a man gets on a base, we've got to bring him home."
Inspired with determination, Taffy stepped to the plate.
The first ball pitched was straight and swift. Reaching for it, the boy caught it square on the bat.
With terrific speed, the ball sailed between short and third. Frantically the left fielder raced in, but the ball took a bad bound and Taffy was safe on second before it could be fielded.
Sandow being at bat and Fred on deck, Mitchell elected to pass the star hitter of the Baxter team to first, trusting to striking out Fred, as he had done twice before, and forcing the others to hit pop flies.
When Taffy saw the plan, he went around to third, Sandow starting for second the moment the ball left Mitchell's hand.
As he waited for this play, Fred was amazed to see the ball coming straight and low—just the kind he liked.
Quickly tightening his hold on his bat, to the surprise of his team mates and the Landon players, who had closed in, he swung with all his might and caught the ball full.
At the crack of the bat, Taffy raced for home, while Sandow reached third and hesitated.
"Keep going!" bellowed Hal.
"Home run! Home run!" roared the Baxter students, waving their banners and jumping about joyously.
Fred's sudden decision to hit the ball had caught the Landon outfield napping.
As the sphere sailed through the air, the center and right fielders started for it. Racing at top speed, their eyes on the ball, they gave no heed to one another.
Closer and closer they drew.
"Right field take it!" shouted Mitchell, in frantic endeavor to prevent a collision.
But his command was too late.
With a thud, the two players came together, recoiled from the shock, and went sprawling, while the ball dropped less than a yard away.
Realizing what was going to happen, Taffy crossed the plate leisurely, followed by Sandow, and later by Fred.
"Three to nothing! Three to nothing!" roared the Baxter students. "Good old Cotton-Top!"
Victory thus assured, the next two batters made little attempt to hit the ball, and were easy outs.
Deliriously happy that they had won the game on Landon's grounds, the Baxter students and alumni rushed onto the field, cheering and yelling for Fred and Bronson.
But the two boys, shrinking from the demonstration, hastened to the dressing-room, quickly donned their street clothes and slipped out, going directly to the station and into the students' special train, where they found Margie and Dorothy awaiting them by prearrangement.
Their tête-a-tête was short, however, for when their schoolmates discovered the two boys whose playing had won the game, they refused to leave them.
Elated with the victory, the students considered the championship practically won, confident that on their own grounds they would have no difficulty in winning the second game, which was to be played on the second day following.
Having arranged for a meeting of the supper club at Fred's, the members trooped gayly to the house upon arrival at Baxter.
In delight, Mrs. Markham listened to the glowing description of her son's home run.
"Too bad you will be unable to play when Landon comes here," she exclaimed.
"Fred not play?" gasped the others in consternation.
"I'm sorry, but he must go to Manchester. His father has sent for him," explained Mrs. Markham.
"Can't he put it off?" pleaded Sandow. "One day won't make any difference, will it?"
"Unfortunately, it will. The matter is of the utmost importance," replied Fred's mother.
"Then I must let Hal know, right after supper," declared the second baseman.
The young people did not allow this news to dampen their celebration, however, and the supper was a merry feast.
"Why does father want me, Momsy?" asked Fred, when he had a minute alone with her.
"I don't know, son. He simply telegraphed for you to go to Manchester on Wednesday; without fail."
Accompanied by the others, the boy sought Hal, who was forced to make the best of the situation. But though the absence of his second baseman would prove a serious handicap, he believed Bronson could pitch the team to victory. Consequently, when he received a note from that pitcher the next morning announcing that he, too, had been called to Manchester by his father, he was in despair.
Quickly seeking Sandow, he discussed with him what was best to do.
"Use Bart," urged the leader of the Firsts. "He'll do his best to outdo Clothespin's record, and with Fred out of the game, he'll have no reason to throw it."
This move agreed upon, Hal summoned the bully by telephone.
"I want you to pitch to-morrow," exclaimed the captain when the boy appeared.
"With Fred on second?"
"No; with Lefty. Johnson will take Lefty's place in the field."
"Where's Fred?"
"Out of town. Will you do your best, or will you sulk?"
"I sulk? Not when I have the chance to take down Bronson's swelled head by showing him that he isn't the only fellow at Baxter who can pitch."
Satisfied with this retort, Hal ordered Bart to find Gregory and put in some hard practice, while Sandow promised to drop round and pitch to him that he might train his batting eye.
But when the students heard the two stars of the first game were to be out of the second, they were glum indeed.
With the arrival of the Landon players and supporters, however, the Baxter students put forth the appearance of confidence.
Again the Landon section used tin horns and it did not take the students long to realize they bothered Bart.
In consequence, every time he wound up to pitch, they let loose a broadside of discordant toots.
For five innings, the bully managed to hold his opponents runless, but in the sixth he went all to pieces, and when Holcomb relieved him, Landon had a lead of four runs.
Goaded to desperation by the caustic comments of their captain, the Baxter boys sought to wrest victory from defeat, but in vain. And Landon won, 4 to 1, thereby necessitating a third game at Winthrop.