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managed to strike out the next man, but the third batter knocked a two-bagger, and Kerr, who followed, sent a beautiful long fly to right field, where Jerry Jackson muffed it. There was wild delight on the part of Pete Backus and his men when they got in three runs before Tom managed to strike out another player, retiring the side.

"Well, that's not so bad," spoke Bricktop, but there was some dubiousness in his tone.

"My pitching was bum," acknowledged Tom, "but I'll do better next inning."

"Of course you will, me lad," said Captain Molloy kindly. "It's a new ground to you."

There was a confident air about Langridge when he took his position in the box and it was somewhat justified when he struck out the first two men in quick succession.

"He's doing better than I thought he would," said Sid.

"He's a good pitcher," admitted Tom honestly,