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A homer it was, for Gallup reached the pan ahead of the ball, which Grifford had returned to the diamond. Frank seized Ephraim by the hand as he came over the plate.
Just before it reached him he made a sudden backward move and then leaped desperately into the air, thrusting up his hand. Instead of dropping, as Grifford had expected, the ball held up in a marvelous manner and passed fully two feet beyond his reach as he made that leap. It finally touched the ground and went bounding away, with Grifford rushing after it as fast as he could race over the turf.
Merry threw his great curve for the first time that day, and again Grifford missed. "Three strikes you're out!" rang forth Carker's decision. The first inning was over. Casper Silence succeeded in repressing his anxiety and disappointment as inning after inning passed and neither side secured a run.
A few minutes later the Rovers came in, and Merry's team trotted onto the field. The scorers recorded the batting order of each team as follows: MERRIES. ROVERS. Mulloy, 3d b. McCann, ss. Hodge, c. Mertez, rf. Merriwell, p. Grifford, cf. Badger, 2d b. Holmes, 1st b. Diamond, ss. O'Day, 3d b. Browning, 1st b. Clover, 2d b. Gallup, cf. Roach, lf. Carson, lf. Bancroft, c. Dunnerwust, rf. Bender, p.
Toby Mertez tried hard for a hit, fouling the ball a number of times. Finally he put up a high foul, which Hodge gathered in. Grifford was regarded as one of the heaviest and surest hitters among the visitors. Nevertheless, to his astonishment, he missed the first two balls pitched by Frank, although both crossed the pan. Two wide ones followed, and then Hodge called for the double shoot.
He hit it fairly and squarely with all the strength and skill that he possessed. It brought a wild roar from the crowd as the ball went sailing out on a line about fifteen feet from the ground. Apparently Grifford would have little trouble in catching the ball. He changed his position a foot or two and prepared to take it.
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