The second innings passed without any scoring being done.  In the third innings the Pornell team made two runs.  In the next innings Putnam Hall pulled a single run “out of the fire,” as Dick put it, for it was his tally, made on a slide halfway from third base.

After this there were more “goose eggs,” until the end of the eighth inning when the score became a tie, 2 to 2.

One more inning for each side, and the excitement became intense.

“We must prevent them from scoring, by a means,” said Frank as they took the field, while the first batter of the Pornellites came to the plate; and amid a breathless silence the final innings began.

CHAPTER XXVII

OFF FOR THE SUMMER ENCAMPMEMT

The present situation was enough to make any pitcher nervous, and it must be confessed that Tom could scarcely control himself.  “A wild pitch, and it’s all up with our side,” he thought, as he took his place in the “box.”

“One ball!” That was the verdict as the sphere landed in Frank’s hands.  “Two balls!” came immediately after.

Frank paused, then rolled the ball to Tom.  “Do be careful,” whispered Dick.  “Take your time.”

“Perhaps we had better put Larry in the box,” suggested another player, but Tom shook his head determinedly.  “I’ll stick it out!”

“One strike!” The batter had tried, but failed to hit the sphere.  Tom felt more hopeful, but immediately after came three balls and then four balls, and amid a cheer from his friends the Pornell player walked to first base.

The second man at the bat went out on a foul, and the cadets cheered this time.  Then came a strong hit to left field, and in came one run.

“Hurrah! 3 to 2 in Pornell’s favor!”

“You’ve got ’em on the run now, boys; keep it up!”

Two balls, and the next batter knocked a hot liner to Fred. It came along like lightning, but Fred wore a “do-or-die” look and made a dive for it —­ and held on, although his hands stung as if scorched with fire.

“Hurrah!  Two out!  Now for the third, and then knock out that lead of one run!”

Alas!  This was easier said than done.  The next player gained first, and so did the youth to follow.  Then came a heavy hit, and the score went up to 5 to 2.  But that was the last of it, so far as Pornell was concerned.

“Now, Putnam Hall, see what you can do!”

Larry was at the bat, and cautious about striking.  “One strike!” called the umpire, as the boy let a good ball go by.  Another real strike followed, and then Larry caught the sphere fairly and squarely, drove it far into left field, and made a home run.

“A homer!  Wasn’t that great!”

“That makes the score 5 to 3.  Keep it up, Putnam Hall!”

The home run was very encouraging, and now Dick came forward with his ashen stick.  He had one strike called on him and then managed to make a clean one-base hit.