Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/319

Rh The first Rockville player up was struck out in quick order, and the followers of the Hall cheered roundly. But the second player made a safe hit, which was followed by a two-bagger to left field. Then came another single; and when the inning ended Rockville had scored two runs.

"Never mind," said Phil, bravely, in the midst of the din made by the visitors. "One inning isn't nine."

"I knew Rockville would beat!" cried Gus Plum, with a gleam of triumph in his crafty eyes. "I hope they lick Lawrence's team good, don't you?"

"Yes," answered Poole. "It will teach 'em a lesson." Such a thing as loyalty to their own school never once occurred to them.

No runs were scored in the second inning, and only one run by Rockville in the third. In the fourth inning, when Dave was in the field and two players were on base, a high fly was knocked far over the third baseman's head.

"Porter!" cried Phil. And Dave ran for the ball with all speed. It was coming down before he got anywhere near it, but by a long leap he scooped it in with his right hand and held it.

"Look at that! Wasn't that a great catch!"

"Finest catch I've seen on these grounds!" And then a wild cheering went up.

In the fifth inning there were "big things