We've got this game and we are going to hold it; but we want to go in to clinch it right here." They didn't do much clinching, for although the first man up hit the ball, he got to first on an error by the third baseman, who fumbled in trying to pick it up.
Blossom was the third baseman, and he was confused by his awkwardness, expecting to get a call down.
"Steady, Blos, old boy!" said Frank, gently.

"You are all right.

The best of us do those things occasionally.

It is nothing at all." These words relieved Blossom's feelings and made him vow that he would not let another ball play chase around his feet.
Frank struck the next man out, and held the runner on first while he was doing it.

The third man sent an easy pop-fly to Blossom, who got hold of it and clung to it for dear life.
Then the runner got second on a passed ball, but he advanced no farther, for the following batter rolled a weak one down to Frank, who gathered it in and threw the man out at first.
In three innings not a safe hit had been made off Merriwell, and he had struck out five men.