It Ain't Over Until It's Over (Friday 3/15 Games)

Field D

The three team game on Field D was as close as you can get with the Tigers pulling out the win in the bottom of the seventh inning. The game started with the league leading Angels scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. The Tigers answered with five runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. The Red Sox, who were held scoreless in first inning, began their run to the top in the second inning. The score flip flopped back and forth between the Red Sox and the Angels until the sixth inning when the Tigers decided to get back into the game. At the bottom of the sixth inning, the score was Angels-15, Red Sox-16 and the Tigers-15. In the top of the seventh inning, The Angels went down three in a row. The Red Sox followed by going down three in a row. It looked like the Tiger were going to do the same thing. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Raul Torres hit a line drive down the first base line for an "in the park home run". Mike Wiltshire followed with a single, Jimmy Laffoon had a single and cleanup battter Herb 'O' got the game winning hit. As usual, Herb's hit was to right field.

There was a lot of good softball played during this game. Pat Drouilard made a running catch from right center filed to snag a ball that no one thought could be caught. Les Jacobson caught four in a row playing middle infielder. Scott Sequin made several great plays at shortstop. Keith Linton, as usual, caught everything hit to the right side. Steve Hill made several good plays at third base. Terry Smith was a vacuum at second base. Al Andrews caught everything in left center field. Mike Wiltshire,Jimmy Laffoon and Sam Lopez held down the left side of the infield for the Tigers and Bob Reagan did an outstanding job in left field.

Leading Hitters for the Angels were Juan Toro and Pat Drouilard 4 for 4. Scott Sequin, Freddie Gonzalez, Larry Wells and Richard "True Story" Marino were 3 for 4. Gerald Andrews drove a ball into deep left center field for a triple.

Leading Hitters for the Red Sox were Terry Smith, 3 for 3. Bob Zelazny, Tom Hamilton and Denny Shaffer were 3 for 4. Tom Hamilton had a nice "in the park" home run.

Leading Hitters for the Tigers were Raul Torres, 4 for 4. Mike Wiltshire and Jimmy Laffoon were 4 for 5. Bob Reagan was 3 for 4 and Herb 'O' was 3 for 5. 

Field C

Braves23 Pirates13

Braves put on a hitting show

Peterson 4-5

F Miller 5-5

Ravo 5-5

Moots 4-5

Hill 3-5

Lautenschlager 4-5 with a home run

Pirates

Ducham 4-6

Stepp 5-6

Waddell 5-6

Ayer 4-6

G Baker 3-5

 

Field E

Cubs VS Giants 

Big game today in the National pitted the Cub and the Giants.  Both teams came out of the dugout with the bats swinging. Cubs scored 5 runs on singles by Wilson, Kline and Mundy.  Than an error and a quick double play, Reg Barnes (who was just recentlyelected to the Polk County Softball Hall of Fame) sent one to the fence for a triple.  Fitzke singled andDePalma batted in the 5th run of the inning.  In the bottom of he first the Pride of Kalamazoo Ron Deems led off with a Homerun followed by a base hit from Mahon, a walk and a double by Remington,  John Merritt than singled in the 5th run.

The second started with a walk to Taylor, a base hit from Fulton and after two  were out singles for Wilson, Kline, Mundy and a walk to Wolfe, Evans lined a hit to right center for the 5th run of the inning. Giants infielder Les Wolff led off their half with a hit up the middle and Lee Baker did the same.  Bess walked and after two were out, hits by Guspyt, Bill Miler and Mahon tallied 4 runs for the Giants.

Cubs kept up with the hot bats in the 3rd inning as Barnes led off with a base hit, Fitzke, DePalma, Taylor and Fulton did the same. Jm Altamose came to bat with the bases loaded and smashed one to the fence. Fleet footed Jim rounded the bases for what would be a Grand Slam but that was the 6th run of the inning so he was credited with a triple.  Nice hit Jim.

Now the dull part of an exciting game. Giants scored one in the bottom of the 3rd.  In the fourth inning both teams scored a run.  In the 5th and 6th both teams batted only seven batters.

Score after 6 was Cubs 16 - Giants 11.

In the 7th the Cubbies carded 2 on a hit by Kline and a triple from Wolfe, then singles by Evans and Barnes.  The Giants came to  life again with 6 runs in their half of the inning.  A walk, two base bangs by Guspyt and B Miler.  After 2 errors Thompson tripled in 3 runs and scored on a single off the bat of Remington.

Now it's a one run game.  Cubs rallied for 5 in the 8th and the Giants came back with 3 of their own. Cubs only came up with one  run in the top of the ninth.  Giants came into the 9th down three runs.  the first batter reached on an error,  Thompson followed with a hit, and Wolff smashed a hard hit grounder that stopped half way to first base,
on the baseline for a hit. Singles by Bess and Bloom
won the game.  GREAT comeback Guys.

Final Score  Giants 25 - Cubs 24.

Hitters for Giants
Deems - Home Run
Guspyt 3 for 4
B. Miller 5 for 5
Remington 4 for 5
Wolff 3 for 4
Bloom Game winner

Hitters for Cubs
Wilson 3 for 5
Kline 5 for 5
Wolfe triple and 3 walks
Evans 3 for 5
Barnes 3 for 5 with triple
Fitzke  3 for 5
DePalma 4 for 5
Fulton 3 for 5
Altamose 3 for 4 with triple

 Field B

In honor of St Patrick’s Day, I’ll start off the Rays – Rangers game with an Irish joke.

Three Irishmen, Paddy, Sean and Seamus, were stumbling home from the pub late one night and found themselves on the road which led past the old graveyard.

"Come have a look over here," says Paddy, "It's Michael O'Grady's grave, God bless his soul. He lived to the ripe old age of 91."

"That's nothing," says Sean, "here's one named Patrick O'Toole, it says here that he was 95 when he died."!

Just then, Seamus yells out, "Sure and behold’in, here's a fella that got to be 145!"

"What was his name?" asks Paddy.

Seamus stumbles around a bit, awkwardly lights a match to see what else is written on the stone marker, and exclaims, "Miles, from Dublin."

 In honor of Regis Finnegen and Tim Gallagher, the Rangers celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day weekend in a game against the Rays.  A few of the Rays must have been celebrating St Paddy’s Day by taking the day off, because they were down to 8 players and had to officially forfeit the game.  However, in the spirit of having fun, exercise and good sportsmanship, we played a game anyways by sharing players. Newly elected Hall of Famer, Freddy Dampier, volunteered to play for the Rays. Regis Finnegen decide to give both teams a little “luck o the Irish and he played defense for both teams.

The game was a high scoring event with quite a few errors, Coach “O’ Matta” thinks that maybe guys were celebrating too much and they were drinking green beer behind the dugout.

The Rays started the game by finding a “pot o gold”, at least their bats were golden. The Rays scored 4-4-3-and 4 runs in the first four innings.  The Rangers rubbed their bats on the “Blarney Stone” and had some luck, scoring 1-7-4 and 5 runs. By the end of four innings the score was Rays 15-Rangers 17.

The teams agreed to play a leprechaun game, shortening up things and only playing 7 innings. Both teams continued to hit well, but in the end it was the Rangers who were able to “dance a jig”, as they won the game.

Final Score: Rays 20- Rangers 26.

Leading Hitters:

Rays

Fred O’ Dampier: 3 /5.

Frank O’ Jacobs: 4 / 5 with a double.

Don O’Erb: 3 /5 with a HR over the fence, a double and a triple.

Dave O’Hartley:  3 / 5.

J D O’Davis: 3 / 5 with a double.

Art O’ Zakrowski: 3 / 5.

Bill O’Bowley: 3 / 5.

Rangers:

Kirk O’Coffman: 3 / 5 with a double.

Sam O’Cuscovitch:  4 / 5 with a HR and two doubles.

Jose O’Rivera: 3 / 4 with a HR.

Nick O’ Matta: 3 / 5.

Joe O’ D’Herin: 5 / 5 with a double.

Jim O’ Goodhue: 4 / 5 with a HR.

Tim O’ Gallagher: 3 /5.

Tommy O” Wise: 2 / 4 with two triples.

Irish Blessing:

 May you always have work for your hands to do,
 May your pockets hold always a coin or two,
 May the sun shine bright on your windowpane,
 May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
 May the hand of a friend always be near you,
 And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Rain Out Today

It's raining pretty good at the fields right now so we have to cancel the games for today.  See you Friday.

The scheduled board meeting will take place at 9am in the board room at DiamondPlex.

International Women's Day

Yep, that's right girls, today is International Women's Day.  Started in Russia, today commemorates the day when women revolted against kitchen 'slavery'. I guess getting the wife to clean your cleats would be out of the question; At least for today.

 

Field E

Cubs VS Braves

The battle today between the Cubs and the Braves playing for the second place slot in the National League of the Winter Haven Senior Softball Program. 
Manager Taylor's Cubs came out swinging their hot bats again.  Wilson, Kline singled, a double by Wolfe, more singles by Evans and Fitzke, Barnes, Taylor and
Fulton netted 5 runs for the visitors.

Ken hammers one

The Braves behind the Management of Moots started with a Triple by Peterson, single from Hill and double from Lautenschlager.  That was followed by singles
from Frank Miller, Ravo, Sessink with Moots batting in the 5th run for the home team. 

After the big first inning both teams settled down scoring 3 run each in the next two frames.  

Ted Takes a cut

The top of the forth brought Altamose to the plate and he tripled down to the left field corner.  Wilson then singled him in and a base hit by Kline, triple by Wolfe and a homer off the bat of Bill Evans.  

After holding the home team scoreless in the fourth the Cubs tallied another 5 in the next frame. 
Base hits by Fitzke, DePalma, Barnes, Taylor, Fulton, Altamose and Wilson finished off that inning.  

Erv is ready to pound it

The Braves were not giving up the ship and came back to score 4 runs in the last of the fifth.  

After 5 score was Cubs 18  Braves 12.

The Cubs scored 4 in the top of the 6th and seem to take the wind out the Braves sails.  

Final Score  Cubs 25  Braves 14.

Cubs Hitting

Wilson 4 for 5 with 2 doubles
Kline 4 for 5 with double
Wolfe 2 triples and 2 doubles
Evans 3 for 5 with Homer
Barnes 5 for 5
Taylor 4 for 5 

Braves

Peterson 3 for 4 with walk and 2 triples and double
Hill 4 for 5 with Homer
Frank Miller 4 for 5
Sessink 4 for 5
Moots 3 for 4
Yarletts 3 for 4. 

Submitted by Don LaMay

Field D

The Red Sox and Rangers squared off today on field “D”. The Sox were hot, coming off a double header game where they earned 3 points in the standings, on Tuesday. They started off the game with bats blazing, scoring 3 runs in the 1^st inning. The Rangers were up to the task and answered in the bottom of the 1^st with three runs of their own. 

That was as close as the game would get, as the Sox bats cooled a bit and the Rangers bats stayed hot. Sox manager, Jeff Simon, always ready with a witty comment asked the Rangers, “what did you guys have for breakfast?” Referencing how well they were hitting. Whatever breakfast the Rangers ate, I hope they order it again for the next few games, is the wish of Rangers manager, Nick Matta.

Final Score: Red Sox 12- Rangers 22.

Strong defensive plays were turned in by the following Rangers players, Jim Goodhue stabbed a line drive in the hole at SS. Ron Butler had several good stops at SF. Jose Rivera always seems to come up with a good play in the outfield and he did it again today, running down a deep fly ball. Tim Gallagher caught a towering fly ball in RF. Kirk Coffman battled the sun in LF for a nice catch. Scott Sequin had several nice grabs at 2B. Tim Gallagher and Jose Rivera also threw runners out at 2^nd.

The Red Sox turned in a few strong defensive plays as well. Tommy Hamilton threw out a few runners, with solid play at SS. Al Andrews grabbed a screaming line drive hit into LC. Dennis Borowicz had a few nice catches on balls hit deep to RF. Denny Shaffer battled the sun in LF, for a few nice grabs.

Leading Hitters:

Red Sox

Tom Hamilton, 4/5 with a double.

Don Held, 3 / 4 with a walk and a double.

George Radlein, 4 / 4.

Bernie Mohan, 3 / 4.

Rangers

Kirk Coffman,  4 / 5 with two doubles.

Jose Rivera, 4 / 4 with a double and Sacrifice.

Scott Sequin, 3/ 5 with a triple.

Ron Butler, 4 / 5 with a triple.

Fred Dampier, 3/ 5 with a HR.

Jim Goodhue, 3 / 4.

Tommy Wise, 4 / 4.

Submitted by Nick Matta

Field B

Three teams battled it out today. 

The Angels jumped out to a 5 run lead in the first inning-- Pat Drouilard had a triple and Greg Denny a home run.Tigers only scored 1 run on a home run by Michael Wiltshire.

The Rays scored four in the first and five in the second to take the lead.

The Angels scored 3 in both the fifth and sixth innings to retake the lead.

The Rays scored 2 runs in the sixth to tie the Angels.

The Tigers came from way behind (only scored 3 runs in the first 5 innings)with 6 runs in the sixth inning and 3 in the seventh to win the game.

Final score was Angels 11,Tigers 12, Rays 11

Leading hitters:

Angels:

Pat Drouilard 3 for 3, one triple

Pepin 2 for 2, one walk

Brian Jackson 2 walks

Tigers:

John Byrd 3 for 4

Patrick Lopiccolo 2 for 3
Jimmy Laffoon 3 for 4

Sam Lopez 3 for 4

Rays:

Roger Edwards 2 for 3 ,4 RBI's

Dave Hartley 3 for 3 , one home run

Don Erb 2 for 3

Frank Jacobs 3 for 3, one double

Field C

The Giants and Pirates played a short handed game today ending with the final score of giants 23 pirates 8.

The big bats of the Giants were able to find the gaps in the out field.

Home runs by Thompson and Merritt, 2 by Chamlee, 

For the Giants
Deen was 6-6 with 2 doubles, Remington 5-5, Chamlee 5-5, Merritt 4-5, Bess 4-5

For the Pirates 
Stepp 3-4 with a double, Wilcox 3-4 with a triple, Ayer 3-4 with a double, Carrother 4-4, Smith 3-4, Lyons 3-4

Boston Massacre

Maybe you forgot ... history class was a long time ago but today marks the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770.  That was before the Sox traded the Babe to the Yankees

Field E 

This bright Tuesday morning with the temperature at starting time around 65 degrees and warming made for a good day to play softball. 

The 2013 Tigers

The two team game on Field E between the Tigers and Rays started with both teams hitting the ball well. The Rays jumped out front with five runs in the top of the 1st inning and the Tiger responded with four runs of their own. 

A three up three down inning in the top of the 2nd for the Rays inspired the Tigers to score five runs in the bottom of the 2nd and 3rd innings. From there, the Tigers managed to keep the lead for the entire game. 

The final score was Tigers 20 and the Rays 16. 

The 2013 Rays

The March winds made pitching a little difficult but Pat Lopiccolo and Larry Powell did a good job on the mound. 

Leading the hitting attack for the Tigers was Scott Seguin who was 4 for 4 with a SAC. Herb 'O' was 4 for 5. Raul Torres and Pat Lopiccolo were 3 for 4. Don Keller, Jimmy Laffoon and Bob Reagan were 3 for 5. Sammy Lopez kept looking for the "sweet spot" on his bat but managed to go 2 for 5.

Leading the hitting attack for the Rays was Frank Jacobs and Don Erb who were 4 for 5. Donnie Scarbrough and Dave Hartley were 3 for 4. Bill Rutan was 3 for 5. 

Field C

Game One

This game featured a three way contest. The Rangers, coached by Nick Matta, the Angels coached by Freddie Gonzalez, and the Red Sox coached by Jeff Simon.  It was a five inning contest due to a doubleheader caused by a prior rainout. 

The 2013 Angels

The Angels scored nine runs thru three innings and did not score in the next two innings. The Rangers scored once in the first and did not score again until the fifth inning when they scored five runs. The Red Sox scored four times in the first inning, four more in the third and five more runs in the fourth to secure the victory. 

The 2013 Red Sox

The final score was Red Sox 13, Angels 9, and Rangers 6.  The game featured a blast over the fence by Les Jacobson of the Angels to give his team a big five run third inning. Winning pitcher George Radlein delivered three hits to help his own cause.  

Game Two 

Game 2 of the double header went by as a flash. Before it 

was said and done by the 3rd inning the score was Red Sox 

and Rangers tied at 7 each and the Angels 4. 

The 2013 Rangers

It was then the 5th inning and now the score was Rangers 12 

Red Sox 10.  The Angels made a valiant effort but fell short 

and finished with 9.  Les Jacobsen had 2 towering homers 

one in each game.
 
Top Hitters:
Rangers: 6 batters at 2/3
Redsox : 3 batters at 2/3
Angels :  2 batters at 3/3

Field B

The Giants, coached by Bloom, beat the Braves, coached by 

Moots, again 27-17.  The  game started off with the Giants 

scoring 5 runs in the first inning with hits from Guspyt, 

Remmington, Black, Chamlee, Gibson and Bess.  

They scored 3 runs in the second inning with hits from Bloom, 

Deem, Guspyt, and Remmington.   The Braves scored 5 runs

with hits from Peterson, Hill, Lautenschlager, Mills and 

Sullivan.  The Braves tied the score 15-15 in the sixth inning 

with hits from Miller, Lautenschlager, Ravo, Moots and 

Peterson.  

The 2013 Braves

The Giants scored 5 runs in the seventh with hits from Bess,

Merritt, Deem, Guspyt and Thompson. 

The game was all but over.  

Good hitting came from Guspyt 7-7 and Remmington 

for the Giants and from the Braves good hitting from 
Peterson and Miller who both went   5-4. 

Field D

Cubs VS Pirates

The 2013 Pirates

Two Hundred Forty Three years after the Boston Massacre a ballgame took place at the Diamond Plex Softball Field in Winter Haven.  

Bill Wolfe smacks one

This game was not a massacre as the shorthanded Pirates came out swinging in the first inning and scored the max 5 runs.  The Cubs had already scored 2 runs in the first, then the Pirates leadoff hitter Ducham led off with a single.  The next batter hit a sharp grounder to the infield and that resulted in a double play. Wilcox singled, an error and then 6 hitters in a row had base hits.  Ayer, Augustine, Smith, Lyons, Carrothers with Silver shoe's Baker batted in the 5th
run of the inning. 

John Fulton gets a hit

Jim Altamose blasts one deep

In the second inning the Cubs bats came alive and stayed that way till the 7th inning.  With 6 innings straight scoring 5 runs the Cubs put this game away with the final score Cubs 32 Pirates 16.

Pirates
Ducham  3 for 4
Stepp 2 for 5
Wilcox 4 for 5
Burns on base 4 time
Ayers 3 for 5
Auggie 4 for 4 with Walk
Smith, Lyon, Carrothers and Baker all 3 for 4.

Cubs
Wilson  5 for 5
Kline 3 for 5 with triple
Mundy 3 for 4 with walk
Wolfe 4 for 4 with walk and 2 HR one was a grand slam.
Leggett our winning pitcher today went 1 for 5 and will be on      the DL to have an eye operation later in the week.
Fitzke 3 for 4 with walk
Ray DePalma (got it right this time) 4 for 5
Barnes 5 for 5
Manager Ted Taylor 3 for 4 after digging out of 3 foot of snow.
Fulton 4 for 4 with triple
Altamose 2 for 3 with walk
Gimpy leg LaMay even had 2 hits.

Submitted by Don LaMay

Reminder

Next Tuesday's American League Games are to be double headers assuming it doesn't snow.  

Remember to be there early as the games will start at 9am.  The two team DH (Powell vs Witmer) will be two games of 7 innings each and for the teams that like to score late, the three team DH will be two games of only 5 innings each. (Gonzales vs Matta vs Simon)

National Pig Day

No Comment

What's for Dinner?

Field B

Hitting was the name of the game on Field B this morning. The morning air was crisp with the temperature around 55 degrees at game time. The ball seemed to like this weather and was jumping off the bats. Don Keller led the Tigers hitting attack going 5 for 5 with two singles, one double, one triple and one over the fence home run. That's what we call "Hitting For The Cycle". Mike Gatto, Johnny Byrd and Terry were 3 for 4. Raul Torres, Jimmy Lafoon, Herb 'O' and SammyLopez were 3 for 5. Kenny Ota was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and everyone else on the team had at least one hit.

Leading the hitting attack for the Red Sox was Scott Seguiness going 4 for 5 with two singles, one triple and one over the fence home run. He just missed hitting for the cycle. Steve Hill and Bob Zelazny were 4 for 6. Both of them hit in the park home runs. Bob Dole and Angel Merced, who played in his first game this year, were 3 for 5 and Al Andrews was 3 for 6. Everyone else on their team had at least one hit.

There was never a dull moment in this game as the score remained close throught out the game. The Red Sox had the bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning and it looked like they were going to take the lead when the last out was made. 

The Final Score was Tigers 24 - Red Sox 21. 

Field C

The 2013 Cubs

Cubs VS Braves Game 1

 Due to a previous rain out the leagues rules say play two 7 innings games forthe make up.  So the Cubs and the Braves took the field today to play two games.  

Manager Taylor's came to bat in the first with two base hits but a hardhit grounder turned into a double play and the Cubs failed to score.  ManagerMoot's Braves came out swinging the bats with five straight singles by Peterson, Chrest, Lautenschlager, Frank Miller, and Ravo, followed by a Duff Hill triple.  Moots then hit a SAC to bring in the 5th run of the inning.  

The Cubs rallied for 5 in the second on singles by Evans and Leggett, a walk and base hit by Fulton and another by Wilson for the final run of the inning.  The Braves kept pace in the second by scoring 5 more run from the bottom of their line up.  Mills,
Sessink, Yarletts and Sullivan a fielders choice and a home run by Chrest.  

Both teams were taking oxygen in the 3rd as no runs were scored. 

Cubs Scored 5 again in the 4th on base hits by Fitzke, Leggett, Depalma, Taylor and Fulton and after two were out, Wilson and Barnes drove in runs 4 and 5 with singles.  

In the 5th inning, after the Cubs scored 3 in the top of the frame the
Braves scored another 5 runs.  The score after 5 was Braves 15 Cubs 13. 

The Cubbies tallied 2 in the 6th and 2 in the 7th and the Braves scored 4 in the 6th
to put the game away.   Final Braves 19 Cubs 17.

Braves
Chrest & Peterson 3 for 4  - double and HR
Lautenschlager 3 for 3 with triple
Duff Hill 3 for 3 with 2 doubles

Cubs
Wilson and Fitzke 3 for 3 with walk
Barnes, Kline, Evans, Depalma, Taylor & Fulton all 3 for 4
 

Brave Vs Cubs Game 2

In the second game, Peterson led off with a triple and scored on a ground out for the only run in the inning.  The Cubs led off with singles by Wilson and Barnes, a triple by Kline, and a double by Wolf.  After two were out base hits by Leggett, Depalma, Taylor and Fulton and a walk to Fulton tallied the max 5 runs for the inning.  I sometimes wonder what the games might be like if there was no run limit to an inning.  Maybe 5 to 6 hour games and a score of 55 to 60 for each team? 

The Braves came to bat in the second, after walks to Moots and Mills and base hits by Sessink and Yarletts, Bernie Peterson hit his second homer of the day to make the score 6 to 5 for the Braves. 

The third inning saw the Braves score a run without getting a hit on two errors and a walk.  The Cubs batting in the third with a Kline single,  Bill Wolf double and Bill Evans home run.  Then again as in the first game singles by Depalma, Taylor, Fulton and Altamose produced 4 runs for that at bat.

After holding the Braves scoreless in the 4th the Cubs scored another 4 runs on a couple of hits and errors.  Cubs 13 Braves 7 after four.  

The Braves scored 3 in each of the 5th and 7th innings and the Cubs scored 5 in 5th inning all scoring after two were out.   

Final Score  Cubs 18  Braves 13.

Braves
Peterson 3 for 4 with Triple and HR
Yarletts  2 for 3

Cubs
Wolf 4 for 4 all doubles
Depalma and Fulton 4 for 4
Taylor 3 for 3

Best plays for the double header were by Bernie Peterson on a running catch in left center field at the fence off the bat of Bill Wolf  and a spectacular running leaping catch in right field by Jim Altamose.  Great plays guys.

Submitted by
 Don LaMay

Field D

It was a colder day for softball, but the heat was on in the form of competition between the Angels-Rays and Rangers on “Field D”. You can choose any of the following sayings to describe the game.

 It was a hot mess.

It was a slap yo momma hot game.

The game was so hotly contested that it was like frying an egg on an ice cube.

Despite the cooler conditions the bats were smoking for all three teams, as each team held a lead at some point in the game. These types of games always seem to be decided in the last inning, this was no exception.  After 6 innings of play the score stood Angels 11, Rays 15 and Rangers 18.

Angels’ manager, Freddy Gonzalez, preaches the power of the resurrection.  His team must be an attentive audience. The Angels busted out in the top of the 7^th inning, sending 13 guys to the plate, in a lofty run scoring inning.  By the time the final out for the Angels was recorded, they had scored 8 runs and had taken the lead.  Juan Toro had the big blow, slicing a line drive into the left field corner for a bases clearing HR.

The Rays were due up next, in the middle of the 7^th.  However, they must have run out of gas after their 4 run sixth inning. They could not regain their momentum and went scoreless in the 7^th.

The Rangers took their bats off the rack in the bottom of the 7^th, needing to score one run to tie the Angels and needing two runs, to win the game. Consecutive hits by Steve Pinnick and Nick Matta got the Rangers headed in the right direction. Tim Gallagher worked the count and drew a walk, to load the bases, with no outs. Next batter, Tom Wise, hit a sacrifice fly to tie the score.  The Rangers’ leadoff batter, Jose Rivera, then hit a hot grounder to the left side of the infield. The fielder had to try and hold speedy pinch runner, Sam Cuscovitch, at 3^rd and also try to throw out the speedy Rivera at 1^st.  That is a real dilemma for any fielder.  The throw came in at first base, just in time, to get the streaking Rivera for the 2^nd out.  Meanwhile, mercury winged Cuscovitch broke for the plate and scored the winning run, just ahead of the throw to home.

 Final score: Angels 19- Rays 15- Rangers 20.

Other game notes: There were some nice defensive plays turned in by a few players, as well. Dennis Holder, (Angels), had a nice put out from the mound. Jose Rivera, (Rangers), had a great running catch in LC. Sam Cuscovitch, (Rangers), went way back in RC, to snag a deep fly ball.  Freddy Gonzalez, (Angels), ran down a few balls in LC.  Kirk Coffman, (Rangers), caught a hot liner to LF. Rich Marino, (Angels) made a few good catches in RF. Roger Edwards, (Rays) tracked down a few line drives in LC.

Leading Hitters:

Angels

Freddy Gonzalez, 4/5 with a double.

Juan Toro, 3/ 5 with a HR.

Les Jacobson, 4/5.

Greg Denny, 3/4 .

Rich Marino, 3 / 4.

Rays

Larry Powell, 3 / 4 with a double.

Roger Edwards, 3 / 4 with 2 doubles.

Frank  Jacobs, 3 / 4 with a double.

Bill Rutan, 3 / 4.

Milo Macko, 3 / 4.

Rangers

Jose Rivera, 3/ 4 with a double.

Kirk Coffman,  3 / 4 with a double.

Sam Cuscovitch,  4 / 4 with a HR.

Ron Butler, 2/3 and a sac.

Fred Dampier, 2 / 4 with a HR.

Joe D’ Herin, 4 / 4 with 2 doubles.

Submitted by 

Nick Matta 

Field E

 First Game

 Pirates vs. Giants

 The Pirates opened the scoring with five hits and two walks plating four runs. The Giants came back in the first with three runs on five hits including a  two run home run by the left-center fielder.

In the second, the Pirates scored a run on three hits.

In the third,fifth and sixth innings, the Giants scored fifteen runs on many hits, walks and errors.

The final score was Giants 18, Pirates 8.

Second Game

Giants vs. Pirates

The Giants opened up with seven hits and an error scoring five runs.  The Pirates came back with seven hits in the first two innings scoring four runs.

The Giants put the game away with eleven runs in the next four innings with a combination of hits, walks and errors.

In the fifth inning, the Pirates scored two runs on four hits.

The final score was Giants 16, Pirates 7.