🥎07.17.26 Ayers Holds Off DeLoach’s Late-Inning Charge

It looked like we were in for a shootout Tuesday morning as all three teams came out swinging, each plating five runs in the opening inning. But after that explosive start, Team DeLoach's defense tightened the screws and completely changed the complexion of the game.

Behind a stellar pitching performance from last week's birthday boy, Ron, Team DeLoach held Team Wally to just one additional run the rest of the game. Ron mixed in timely strikeouts when they mattered most, and his defense made the plays behind him to keep the pressure on.

Meanwhile, Team Ayers never let up offensively, putting together a steady attack throughout the game to keep themselves in front.

Team Wally

Despite the tough morning, Team Wally had several bright spots:

Lainhart went 2-for-3, scoring 2 runs.
Lynch, Doyle, Tutrani, and Gonzales each crossed the plate once.

Team Ayers

Team Ayers put together one quality inning after another to claim the victory.

Woodsby scored 2 runs.
Wilber Wilson (our mystery third batter whose handwriting still has us guessing!) finished 3-for-4.
JR scored 2 runs.
Fee crushed a scorching home run in the fourth inning.
Delong went 3-for-4, scoring 1 run.
Cruz also went 3-for-4, scoring 2 runs.

Team DeLoach

Team DeLoach refused to go quietly and made things interesting in the final inning. Their offense was led by some impressive hitting throughout the game:

Guttenberg went 3-for-4, scoring 3 runs.
Col Z had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 and scoring 3 runs.
Rusty also had a perfect day, going 4-for-4, including a big home run that sparked a late rally.
Rabideau and Moots each crossed the plate twice.

Trailing by five in the final inning, Col Z started the rally with a single before Rusty launched a home run to cut into the lead. Moots reached base, followed by a base hit from Reagan, setting the stage for the big comeback. Bales smoked a laser toward third that was hit so hard it found its way right through the third baseman's glove. After the game, the third baseman—one of those younger "American League" players who occasionally ventures into National League territory—could only shake his head and laugh, saying, "I can't believe the girl hit it through my glove!" Bales may have earned bragging rights for the rest of the season with that one.

With the bases loaded and the tying runs aboard, Team DeLoach's rally came up just short, allowing Team Ayers to hang on for the victory.

Final Standings

 Team Ayers – 17
 Team DeLoach – 15
 Team Wally – 6

Friday games

Games are on.

Attention Members

***New Sponsorship***

As we prepare for the upcoming season, we will soon begin seeking new sponsors to add to our list to support our league.

Any member who is interested in helping secure a new sponsor should see Lorain. Sponsorship packages and information will be available for potential sponsors.

All sponsors need to be committed by November 1 St. 

As a thank-you for helping to grow our league, any player who secures a new sponsor will be eligible for their 2027 season fee to be waived.

Thank you for your attention.

Luis Guzman, Acting Commissioner

Rain checks for golf outing

I have secured a couple tee times for next Thursday if you are interested. Let me know by Tuesday

Field Update

Things are moving slowly, but we're making progress

Progress

🥎 07.14.26 THE FLIP FLOP FINISH

Tuesday’s three‑team rotation — Team DeLoach (visitors/hitting), Team Hill (middle/sitting), and Team Ayers (home/field) — delivered one of those classic Winter Haven mornings where everybody hit, everybody ran, and everybody had a story to tell.

Team DeLoach

DeLoach didn’t explode out of the gate but from the second inning on, they settled into a steady scoring rhythm, putting up 11 total runs by chipping away inning after inning.

And the highlights were legit:

Gil turned in one of his best all‑around games of the season: 3 runs, 3-for-3, and a string of sharp catches at second that shut down rallies.
DeLoach went 2-for-3, keeping the line moving.
Jorge scored twice and launched a triple that had the outfield turning around to watch it roll.

A slow start, but a strong, consistent finish.

Team Hill

Hill brought the thunder, dropping 21 runs and getting monster performances from their top hitters:

Gutenburger: 4-for-4, 4 runs
Col Z: 4-for-4, 4 runs
Both men were perfect at the plate and relentless on the bases.
Rad smoked a triple.
King delivered a flawless game: 3-for-3, 3 runs, and not a wasted swing.

Hill was the offensive engine of the day.

Team Ayers

Ayers put up 14 runs, powered by:

Griffin: 3 runs
Hudson: 3 runs

Both stayed hot and kept Ayers in striking distance all morning.

 Flip‑Flop Drama in the 7th

With the scoring piling up, Team Ayers and Team Hill became the flip‑flop teams heading into the 7th. Ayers needed a spark and delivered 4 runs to make things interesting…

…but the inning came to a sudden halt thanks to a double play turned by:

Alonzo at third, snagging the sharp grounder
Bales (“the girl”) in middle field, making the turn and shutting the door

A textbook flip‑flop finish — fast, clean, and decisive.

 Final Vibe

Three teams, big bats, perfect games, triples flying, and a flip‑flop capped by a double play.
Winter Haven softball never disappoints — and today’s game had a little bit of everything.