Winter Haven Senior Softball

Two teams met on Field D today as the visiting O J’s managed by Steve Hill and the home team with Larry Strait at the helm.  It’s early in the season but first place is at stake and both teams hyped up after playing to an 11 all tie in the first game of the season.  Chrest led off for the O J’s followed by Castillo, S. Hill, D. Schapeler, Laffoon, Lopez, Weber, Capozzi, Spegel, Seguin, and Witter.  Marino led the team on the field in left field, Newton at 1^st, Burtner SS, Hite IF, Boito 3^rd, LeTourneau OF, Kriger IF, Fryzowicz OF, Peske OF, Andrews C, Thompson P, LaMay C, and Strait at second.  Scorekeeper for the O J’, kept a neat score sheet but failed to post wether each batter had a hit, walk, error, SF, etc.  So, we will tell the story as reaching base. 

Inning one, first 3 hitters reach base, an infield out next 3 reached base and Capozzi batted in the fifth run of the inning.  Home team, after one out Newton doubled, Hite, Boito, and singled and LeTourneau singled home the first run for the Braves.  In the 2^nd Seguin walked and Chrest homered to deep left.  Bottom of the inning Travis and Andrews had base raps and LaMay singles in the 2^nd run of the game for the Braves.  End of 2 O J’s 7 Braves 2. 

The 3^rd inning had the O J’s posted a zero.  Marino led off the bottom of the inning with a single, followed with hit from Newton, Burtner, and Hite.  After two outs 3 more hit from Kriger, Fryzowicz and Peske drove in the run to tie the game at 7 all.

O J’s add a run in the 4^th inning. Brave 0.  5^th inning has 3 for the O J’s and 2 for the Braves.  The 6^th had the O J’s add 5 and the Braves 3.  In the 7^th the O J’s were held scoreless.  Braves pushed across 4 runs to tie the game a 16 each.   OH! No! not again.  The 8^th had the O J’s took the lead again scoring 4 runs with 6 batter reaching base.  Braves add 3 in the bottom of the inning on a single from LaMay and double from Strait then singles from Marino and Burtner bringing in the 3^rd run. 

Now the top of the ninth Braves pitcher Thompson ties a record by getting 3 outs on 3 pitches and 3 good fielding plays.  Bottom of the inning base hits from LeTourneau and Kriger to start the inning. A very unusual double play followed that left the home team with a runner on 2^nd and 2 outs.  Peske comes to bat and lines a single to left center to tie the game at 20 all.  Ok game called because of darkness.  Oh is only 11:45 AM.  Lets play 10. 

O J’s start the inning with 3 runners reaching base.  After one out Lopez reaches base, then the second out.  Capozzi and Spegel reach and Gisele Seguin bats in the 5^th run of the inning.  Andrews, Thompson, and LaMay start the inning with hits. After and infield out, Marino and Newton single and Burtner drive a run in on a fielder’s choice, then Hite singles in the 4^th run of the inning.  Now with the tying run on base Boito at the plate he hit a line drive to Sam Lopez who was playing middle infield behind second base for the final out of the game.  Final Score was  O J’s 25 and Braves 24. 

On base time for the O J’s were Crest, Castillo, Hill, Schapeler, Laffoon, Weber all 4 for 6, Capozzi 6 for 6.  Lopez, Seguin and Witter all 3 for 6.

Leading hitters for Braves were Newton 5 for 6, Marino, Hite, 4 for 6, LeTourneau, Kriger, LaMay 4 for 5, Boito 3 for 6, Travis, Peske, Thompson 3 for 5.

Great catch also by Gary Burtner in foul territory by the fence from his shortstop spot. 

Submitted Don LaMay