Winter Haven Senior Softball

A’s vs. Tigers:

I had a request, from a ballplayer, to do the write-up without any frills, or twists. So, this is my straight up report of the AL game, between The A’s and the Tigers, on 2/2.

A’s, Visitors: Hicks, Gazarek, Shirer, Deemie, Matta, Zelazny, Vanderhyde, Crowell, Aufiero, Jairo.

Tigers, Home team: Stier, Hamilton, Witmer, Keller, Scarbrough, Knox, Thirey, D’Herin, Poke and Pinnick.

Both teams were missing some really good players, our prayers and thoughts go out to those who are hurting. Both teams came out of the box hitting well. The A’s scored 5 runs in both the 1^st and 2^nd innings. The Tigers scored 4 in both innings. Knox delivered the big shot for the Tigers with an inside the park HR.  After two innings the score was A’s: 10- Tigers: 8.

Hitters for the A’s in those innings included Hicks, Gazarek, Shirer, Deemie, Matta, Zelazny, Vanderhyde, Crowell, Aufiero, Jairo. Upon further review, that’s the whole lineup for the A’s that hit in the first two innings.

Hitters for the Tigers in those same two innings; Stier, Hamilton, Witmer, Keller, Scarbrough, Knox and D’Herin. A solid job by the Tiger squad.

After the first two innings the scoring slowed down and both teams played well on defense. The pitchers, George Vanderhyde, (A’s), and Steve Pinnick, (Tigers), threw a solid game. Vanderhyde only gave up three more runs over the next seven innings. George is in the running for the Cy Young Award. The A’s turned 3 DPs, on defense, in the game.  Pinnick only gave up 6 more runs in that same span. The Tigers also used the leather to turn 3 DPs. Don Keller had a nice catch in the OF, as did Steve Hicks. A well-played game by both teams with good sportsmanship.

The final difference in the game was the few extra runs the A’s were able to squeeze across the plate.  Final Score: A’s: 16- Tigers: 11. Thanks to Scott Seguin for umpiring and catching for both teams.

Leading Hitters For The A’s:

Hicks: 3/5.

Shirer: 4/4 with a walk and a double.

Zelazny: 4/5.

Vanderhyde: 3/5.

Leading Hitters For the Tigers:

Stier: 5/5 with two doubles.

Hamilton: 3/ 4 with a walk and a double.

Knox: 3/5 with a HR and a double.

Thirey: 4/5.

Write up by Nick Matta