Evening star., 1909-08-20
RAILROAD CHAMPS
SHUT OUT FARMERS
High-CIass Ball in Section B
of the Post-Season
Series.

In the initial game of section of the
post-season series yesterday afternoon at
the Capital City Park. the Station team
of the Railroad Y. MICA. League defeated
and shutout Agriculture of the Independ-
ent League in an exciting and interesting
battle by the close score, 1 to o.
The game was a startling affair from
the call of Play" by Umpire Belts until
the close, during which time many sensa-
tional and brilliant plays were pulled off
1t was pitchers battle between Rupert
and Ferguson, the latter quitting with
shade better of the argument Ferguson
not only twirled a creditable game, but
made a record for himself by tanning
fourteen men in the nine innings. This Is
the greatest strikeout record that has
ever been established on these grounds
1t beats Smoke" Balzer's record which
was thirteen against st. Stephens 1nsti-
tute the tailenders. After earning such
a good record and twirlng a three-hit
game in the championship series, the lad
who halls from Deanwood had to lose
his own game by making a wild throw
to LIE Due in the final round trying to
catch Taylor, who was taking a big lead
off third.
On the firing line for the winners was
Rupert, a southeast product. Although his
opponents connected for one more hit than
his opposing Slabman allowed, he twirled
gilt-edge ball throughout the combat Ru-
pert kept his bingies well scattered and
drew himself out of many tight places
1t seemed, as the game went on, the
promising youngster grew stronger and
more effective and when the game ended
he had to his record six strike-outs all
of which occurred in the last four ses-
sions. Rupert was steady as a clock
letting only one man reach first base on
wide ones.
A Fatal Toss.
Not until the ninth inning did the win
ming run make its appearance. Taylor
centerfielder of Station, started the trouble
with one down in the final round by
smashing his second hit of the game, a
ene-base swat to left. He was advanced
to second on p passed ball of SoudeTs
and went to third on Handys sacrifice.
With two out Ferguson commenced at
this stage of the game to grow nervous.
and after making several attempts to
catch the clever little outfielder on third
who was jumping around trying to steal
home, threw TO lie Due, the ball going
over his head hitting the fence and roll
ing into left field. Taylor tailed on the
fatal miscue and brought home the only
and winning run of the hair-rasing con-
test.
The Aggies got but four bingles off Ru-
pert, and these came In the fourth, sew
enth, eighth and ninth innings, all Of
which were singles with the exception of
Barber's. and his went for an extra base
In the ninth Aggies also had chance to
score, but failed. Graham opened the
session with a terrific drive to center.
Barber followed by sending a grounder
to Legge, but the shortstop was so rat
tied he threw the horsehide fully two
feet over Morgans head, letting Graham
reach third and Barber was safe at the
first sack on ffelder's choice. Rupert
got the signal to throw to Mcknight at
first to catch Barber, who had ten-foot
lead off the bag. At the throw Graham
came dashing toward home, but was
nailed by Bell at the plate. Mcknight.
captain of the winning squad, was ap-
plauded tremendously for his brainy
piece of work by throwing the ball home.
shutting of the run, instead of fooling
with Barber, who was trying ito. steal
Jack also made the final out by catching
Doc" Souder's high foul fly back of first
base line.
One OF the niftiest pieces of work that
was accomplished yesterday was fast
double play pulled off by Legge, Nc
knight and Bell, in the first inning.
Legge made a beauty stop and threw
Ferguson out at first. Mcknight relayed
ii to Bell IN time to catch Morgan slid
ing into the plate. Morgan, while slid
ing, was struc kin the neck and knocked
out for several minutes, but after a short
time went to his position at second
his gameness.
Fine Backstopping.
Without a doubt that boy Doc" Sou
der caught the most brilliant game Of his
career although he had marked up
against him a passed ball Most all the
amateurs in the District know what
speed Ferguson has. and being in rare
good form yesterday he put them over
hnf ho1 60
glove At the close of the game Doc"
showed his left hand and it was swollen
twice its normal size. Only eleven of the
eighteen ball tossers who participated
In yesterdays skirmish had putouts in
their columns. the rest had an easy day
of it, The support given to Ferguson
was errorless, while the teammates be-
hind Rupert fumbled four different
ed men on first. At the start of the
game a silver loving cup was pre-
sented to the Station team by their
league for coping the pennant. On this
handsome trophy was sa engraved Tav II the
won and lost.
This game was the first contest in
this park for Mr.. Belts, the well known
local umpire. His work yesterday proved
satisfactory to all, and his gingery style
of running his games made him many
new friends.
Jack Mcknight, ball player. who two
seasons ago, played in the South Atlantic
League, covered first base for the VIC
tors in a classy manner. Jack accepted
fourteen chances without miscue, many
of which were very difficult.
Taylor, centerfielder of the Railroad
League champions, put up star game
at the bat and on the bases. He got
two of his teams three hits, and scored
the only run of the game.
The battle was one of the best played
in amateur base ball circles this season,
and 1t is doubtful if 1t will be equaled
in the series.
The score:
Station. R.H .0.A.E Agric'e. R.HO.AE
Taylor.cf. = o 0 Conovr.ss 0 0 oil