Baseball Turnaround (9 page)

The score was now tied at 2–2. The rally had begun, and Philip Wood kept things going with a two-bagger that sent Sandy to
third base. There was only one out on the scoreboard when Jimmy Dobson stepped up to the plate. He went for a sacrifice. It
worked. Sandy beat the peg to home, while Philip crossed to second and slid into third. Once again, Sandy was swarmed by his
teammates.

Dewey Williams was fanned for the third and final out, and the Raptors took to the field with a one-run lead at the top of
the sixth and final inning.

The top of the Hawks’ batting order came up to the plate. Inspired by the previous inning’s rally, Mitch recovered his control.
He gave up one hit to their leadoff batter but held the next one in check with a strikeout. Then the third Hawk pounded Mitch
for a single. Players at first and second, and only one out.

The Hawks’ cleanup batter, their left fielder, was their leading hitter. He had a reputation for hitting the short ball just
over the second baseman’s head.

“Let’s play in, guys!” Sandy called to the left and right fielders. They all jogged in another ten feet for good measure.

But Sandy kept himself flexible — just in case. His instincts proved to be on target.

The Hawks’ batter took a mighty swing and turned out a high fly ball toward center. At first, it didn’t seem like it would
go the distance. But it did. Instead of dropping into the sweet spot behind second, it continued arcing upward, heading straight
for the fence.

Sandy dashed back, following it with his eyes. The ball descended like a rocket just inside the fence.
Sandy lunged into the air, stretched out his glove —and caught it!

But even as he was squeezing the ball into the webbing, he knew that the runners on first and second weren’t standing still.
They were going to try to make it for home. If one of them did, the game would be tied at 3–3. If both did, well, the Raptors
might just kiss this victory good-bye, unless they could score two runs at the bottom of the sixth. But if he could help stop
both
runners…

The moment his feet touched the ground, Sandy spun around, locked one foot in a pivot, and pegged the ball to Tony at third.

Smack!
The ball was trapped in the cup of Tony’s outstretched glove. He reached out and tagged the runner. Out!

The cheers rang out from the stands and the Raptors bench. As Sandy ran in from the outfield, he was mobbed first by the left
and right fielders, then the infield. The last guy to reach him was Ben Eaton.

Ben slapped him on the back, grinning ear to ear.

“What a play!” he cried. “Is this really the same
guy who walked around at the start of the season with a chip on his shoulder the size of Rhode Island?”

“That’s what we wondered,” a familiar voice said.

Sandy looked through the crowd of Raptors and spied Mr. Richards and his brother. He tried to break free from his teammates
and go speak to them, but the Raptors had other ideas. They hoisted their center fielder to their shoulders and started to
parade him around the bases.

As Sandy was jostled about, he looked over his shoulder back at the two brothers. They were smiling widely. Coach Richards
gave him a thumbs-up, then they both waved, turned, and headed for the parking lot.

Sandy watched them for a moment, then started laughing.

“Hey, you guys, put me down! How do you expect me to celebrate with you from up here?”

Baseball Flyhawk	Dirt Bike Runaway
Baseball Pals	Dive Right In
Baseball Turnaround	Double Play at Short
The Basket Counts	Face-Off
Body Check	Fairway Phenom
Catch That Pass!	Football Fugitive
Catcher with a Glass Arm	Football Nightmare
Catching Waves	The Fox Steals Home