Chapter 10
Delia was up to bat first. She walked up to the plate with a focused look on her face. The first pitch came straight across the plate, and she hit a nice grounder toward third base.
Jessie Smith, the Sonics’ left fielder, was up next. She hit a fly ball into right field, sending the Angels’ outfielders racing after it. Delia managed to make it to third base, while Jessie waited at first.
The next batter was Elizabeth, the Sonics’ shortstop. She smacked the ball straight back toward the pitcher’s mound, but the ball made it to first base before she did. Luckily Jessie made it to second base on her hit, while Delia stayed at third.
With two runners on base, Lucy stepped up to the plate. The first two pitches were balls. Lucy got a piece of the third pitch, but it popped straight up in the air. Foul ball, and strike one.
Finally, on the fourth pitch, Lucy got a solid hit. The ball flew straight up the first-base line. The first baseman caught it, tagging Lucy out.
But as Lucy was tagged out, Delia took off from third base and raced for home. She charged across the plate, scoring the winning run.
The Sonics on the bench went crazy. They’d done it! It was the first win against the Angels in three seasons, and they’d done it together.
* * *
After their big win, Coach Johnson took the whole team out for ice cream to celebrate.
“I think this is the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life,” Jo said around a mouthful of fudge ripple.
“That’s because it tastes like victory!” Delia told her, laughing.
Coach Johnson smiled. “You guys earned it,” she said proudly. “I’ve never seen a team work as hard as all of you did this season. The Yellow Sonics are the team to beat!”
“Well,” Lucy said, “we aren’t quite the Red Angels. . . .”
“Exactly,” Jo said firmly. “We weren’t given a team of winners — we made it ourselves!”
“I don’t know about you guys,” Lucy added, “but I’m still going to the park whenever I can.”
“Me too,” several of the girls agreed.
Delia linked her arm through Jo’s, and both girls smiled.
“Now this is the best summer ever!” Jo said.