He did not spare Ready.

Jack missed the first two balls, being unable to hold them, although he did not let them get past him.

Both were strikes, and again Badger tried to "work" the batter, though he did not slacken his speed.

Frank was anxious, for he expected to see the freshman catcher let one of those hot ones pass him.

Nothing of the kind happened, and, after trying two balls, Buck used a sharp rise and struck the man out.
The college men on the bleachers rose up and howled, but Frank Merriwell was gloomy at heart, though his lips smiled.
"Badger is doing well," he told himself; "but Ready cannot hold him.