Curveball — Rich Wallace

Eddie stepped off first base, tensed and ready to sprint all the way home if he needed to.

Here came the pitch, here came the smack as Spencer connected, the Oooh from the spectators, and the roar from the Hudson City dugout as the ball shot deep into right field. Eddie ran hard, but he turned slightly to watch as the ball sailed over the fence and into the parking lot.

That's gone! said the announcer in his mind.

Eddie threw his arms straight over his head and laughed as he stepped on second base. He watched Jared leap onto home plate, then rounded third and raced home to do the same. And with all of his teammates, he waited for Spencer and his enormous, triumphant grin.

They mobbed him. Three straight wins. The Hornets were definitely back in business.