Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The baseball game continued on the following Saturday. Now it was the bottom of the ninth inning. The score was MEN 6, WOMEN 3. The women were at bat. "Guess you're gonna owe me an ice cream cone," Josh teased Ruth Rose. "I think I'll have ten scoops." "Think again," Ruth Rose said. "The bases are loaded, and Livvy's up. She's their best hitter!" "Yeah, but there are two outs," Josh said. "If Livvy gets an out, the game's over and I win!"

"If she gets an out," Ruth Rose said. While Dink watched Livvy Nugent practicing her swings, he thought about the last several days. It had been an exciting time in Green Lawn. Officer Fallon had arrested the thief, Ted Gundy. The six stolen baseballs were found in his closet, and he went to jail. "It's neat that Pete and Buddy are staying in Green Lawn," Josh said. "Yeah, and Buddy told me that Officer Fallon had a long talk with Pete," Dink said. "He told him lying is wrong, even if it's done to protect someone else. But Pete really learned his lesson. Now Officer Fallon is trying to talk Pete into becoming a policeman!" "Hush, you guys," Ruth Rose said. "We don't want to distract Livvy!" Pete was signaling Livvy to step up to the plate. She tapped dirt out of her cleats and yanked her cap tighter. Buddy had joined the men's team, and he was pitching. His first pitch was low, but Livvy swung and missed. "STRIKE ONE!" bellowed Pete. Buddy's second pitch was high.

Livvy tried but missed again. "STRIKE TWO!" Pete yelled. By now everyone in the bleachers was standing. Some were rooting for the men, but most were chanting, "HOME RUN, HOME RUN, HOME RUN!" Buddy wound up for the pitch. Suddenly everyone was quiet. The ball came right over the plate, right at Livvy's knees. CRACK! The hit was a line drive just inside the first-base line. Livvy took off for first. Mrs. Mackleroy left first for second. Josh's mom tore away from second toward third. Ellie shot away from third base and ran for home, where she got a huge cheer. Then Josh's mom came in, followed by Mrs. Mackleroy.

"Tie game!" Ruth Rose yelled. Dink could barely hear her. The crowd was screaming as Livvy dashed for home. It was a grand slam! The game was over. The final score was WOMEN 7, MEN 6. Josh slumped in his seat while Ruth Rose did a little dance next to him. "Well, who's up for an ice cream cone?" Dink asked, grinning at Josh. "I am!" Ruth Rose said.