Considering that that contest was a pitcher’s battle from beginning to end, and that just one run was scored, it would be futile for me to pretend that it was, as some games are, a breathless, nerve-wracking affair. Of course, if you are extremely partisan and somewhat emotional you can derive excitement from almost any contest in which your team takes part, and the audience to-day must have been both, for it shouted, sang, howled, waved flags, megaphones, hats and score sheets and acted decidedly concerned during nine innings. And since, as already hinted, the afternoon was one of those afternoons when just to turn around induces perspiration, some eight or nine hundred spectators were reduced to a breathless, wilted mass long before the last man was retired. Because in a series of two-out-of-three the capture of the first game brings a distinct advantage to the victor, both teams wanted to-day’s contest hard and went after it. Each started its best pitcher and strongest batting list. Both Ogden and Osterman were left-handers, but the similarity went little further. Jeff was a sizeable youth, but Osterman was all of six feet tall, big-boned, lanky, long-armed, awkward in everything save pitching. He was held to be Ogden’s superior as a twirler, and his record showed it. He was a fast-ball artist first and foremost, but he owned a few good curves. Like most left-hand pitchers he could on occasion become exceedingly wild. Wolcott’s first batsman reached first when Van Dyke fumbled Tyson’s peg across the diamond. The ball trickled toward the stand, and the runner made the mistake of trying to get to second. Van recovered in time to throw him out to Hurry. A hit to left field followed, and when Risley threw to second to head off a steal Tom let the ball get through him and the runner went on to third and Wolcott howled gleefully. The third batsman flied out to Hurry. Jeff Ogden landed the ball against the next man’s shoulder and he went to first. When he started for second Risley threw to shortstop and Hurry made a wonderful return to the plate in time to cut off the runner from third. One hit, two errors, no runs. For Wyndham, Pat Tyson hit between first and second and stole a minute later. Greene struck out and so did Hurry Leland. Returning the compliment, Osterman put the ball against Gus Risley’s ribs, and he took his base. With two down and two on, the best Raiford could do was foul out to Van Dyke. One hit, no errors, no runs. Again Wolcott’s first batter hit safely, although Hurry made a gallant try. The runner went no further than first, however, for succeeding men were disposed of by left fielder, third baseman――Tyson ran far for that foul――and pitcher. That was Jeff’s first strike-out. Wyndham went out in one-two-three order, Osterman fanning Tom and Van Dyke, and Talbott hitting straight into first baseman’s hands.