It was only a
fly out to right field, but it was a swift one, and it struck
turf before the Navy fielder could hoof it to the spot. He caught
it up, whirled, and drove straight to first, but Prescott's toe
had struck the bag a fraction of a second before.
"Runner safe at first!" called the umpire quietly. Then the ball
went back to Dave, who now had a double task of alertness, for
Holmes held the bat at the plate, while Prescott was trying to
steal second. Well did Dave Darrin know the trickiness of both
these Army players!
Greg, too, was cool, though a good deal apprehensive. With him
the call stood at balls three and strikes two when Greg thought
he saw his real chance.
Swat! Greg struck with all his strength, and at the sound, a
cheer rose from the seats of the Army fans. But the ball was
lower than Greg had calculated, and after all his assault on the
leather had resulted only in a bunt.
Navy's pitcher took a few swift steps, then bent, straightened
up and sent the ball driving to first.
"Runner out at first!"
Then indeed a wail went up. What did it matter that Prescott
had reached second? Greg's disaster had put the side out. And
now the Navy came back to bat. In this half of the second, three
hits were taken out of Prescott's delivery, and at one time there
were two sailors on bases. Then the Navy went out to grass and
the Army marched in for a trial.
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