Panama Canal Dedicated on this day in 1920

 

Today, on ServiceMaster Field, three evenly matched teams played a very close game that wasn't decided till the final out was made.

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The hitting team, managed by Steve Hill, consisted of Hill, Gonzales, Witmer, Jacobs, Schapler, Merino, Matta, Sessnick, Hearn, Moots, and Sullivan. They got the game off to a good start by scoring three runs.

Steve takes a break

It was then Jeff Simon's teams turn at the plate and they did not disappoint. The team of Rivera, Lafffoon, Edwards, Butler, Mundy, Zelazny, Crest,Wells, Simon, Bess,, Mohan, and Lee Baker answered with three runs of their own.

Jimmy takes a ball

The fielding Team, managed by Kirk Coffman, and comprised of Coffman, Scarborough, Alumbaugh, Finnegan, Powell, Diaz, Thompson, Merritt, Wise, Byrd, Gene Baker, and Hill managed but one run despite the awesome lineup.

Kurt whacks one deep

With no one scoring in the second inning, the bats came alive for one team in the third.  Steve's hit team scored five big runs to establish themselves as the team to beat. It could have been worse but for the five run rule as the first five runners crossed the plate. Jeff's team managed but one run and Kirks team scored a mere one run. 

The fourth inning saw Team Hill score three more runs and Team Simon put up one for themselves. It was the offensive explosion  of Team Coffman that was impressive as they scored eight runs to get within one of the leaders. Doubles by Alumbaugh, Coffman, and Diaz were the catalyst.

With the game close, Team Hill failed to score more than one run Doubles by Butler and Zelazny helped Team Simon score two. Finnegan's triple started Team Coffman off and scored the first of their three runs. As  a result, we went into the sixth inning with Teams Hill and Coffman tied. The sixth was productive for Team Hill as they scored the only runs of the inning. Their three runs were aided by Dean Schaplers triple.

Eddie watches one go foul

So going into the last inning Team Hill enjoyed a three run lead. In some cases insurmountable, but not in Winter Haven.

The seventh started with Team Hill scoring again as Claude Hearn hit a two run home run. The sleeping giant, known as Team Simon woke in the seventh with seven of the first eight batters crossing the plate and vaulting into second place. Now in last place Team Coffman brought it with Finnegan getting his second triple of the game and scoring the first of three runs. Unable to overtake Team Hill, Team Coffman settled for a second place finish.

Regis pounds a triple

Final score Team Hill 17, Team Simon 14, and Team Coffman 15.

Key performances:

Steve Hill     4 for 5

Frank Jacobs    4 for 4

Dean Scapler    3 for 4 with a triple

Claude Hearn    3 for 4 with a homer

Richard Sessnick    winning pitcher

Jimmy Laffoon    4 for 4

Roger Edwards    4 for 4

Ron Butler     4 for 4

Bob Zelazny    3 for 4 with two doubles

Jeff Simon     3 for 4

Vassearl Bess    3 for 4

Reg Finnegan    3 for 4 with two triples

Eddie Diaz    3 for 4

Ron Thompson    3 for 4

Tom Wise    4 for 4

John Byrd    4 for 4