Scores

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After a week of rainouts that caused some rustiness in the player's swings and running, PG and CPA came out on a beautiful morning at Pine ready to do battle. PG started strong putting up twelve runs in the first four innings while holding CPA to only four runs. PG played some awesome defense and held CPA scoreless for the next four innings. PG pitcher Rich Keefer speared two scorchers bound for center field in the first couple innings and the outfielders, Cathy, Keith, Dennis and substitute Phil Kay seemed to run down every fly ball hit their way. CPA finally got some offense going in the bottom of the 9th, scoring four runs. But it was not enough with PG hanging on for a 15 to 9 victory.

The top of the PG lineup was practically unstoppable with Cathy McDonald, Dennis O'Hern, Robert Kroger, Keith Richards and Oscar Lara all going 4 for 5 and driving in nine runs. Dave Ash was "only" 3 for 5 but drove in four runs by himself. Rich Keefer helped get himself a win by going 4 for 4 including a lead-off home run in the second inning.

As previously noted, this game was won largely on the stout defense of PG. For CPA, Only Dan Miserany and Bob Loperena were 3 for 4 and Gary Fisher and Jerry Galiley were 2 for 3.

PG thanks Phil Kay and Ruby Murphy for filling in for missing players and both teams thank Jim Goertzen for a fine job umping.

In their last game before the rainouts, That Pizza Place was held to four runs in nine innings of play.  The pent-up frustration this caused was allowed to fester for over a week as the rains fell.  The foaming-at-the-mouth grizzly that today faced Mark Lehman's powerful team unleashed 31 runs to finally ease the pain.  There's a lesson here.  Never poke the bear.  TPP scored 15 in the first three innings (Vesuvius ain't in it).  Pizza Port played their usual competent game and only trailed by 8 going into the ninth.  That's when TPP delivered the knockout blow with 8 more unanswered runs.  The Goliath that is PPB will rebound without a doubt but today belonged to David and his sling.  

TPP hitters of note include Jonathan Brand and Larry Weinberger at 5/5 and Al Castaneda, Brian Turner and David Ward at 4/5.  Larry and Mgr. Dan Smith homered with Dan leading the RBI parade with six.  

PPB had Pat Steele, Mgr. Mark Lehman, David Erwine and Joel Kudron each making only a single out. 

TPP thanks subs David Ward and Tony Bona and PPB thanks Bill Ginty for filling in.  We all got excellent officiating from Randy Agadoni and Steve Sexton.  Merci beaucoup. 

Tuesday’s game under bright blue skies and gusty winds saw resumption of activity after a long rain-delay from last week’s storms. Concerns about rust setting in to the Geriatrics on both teams were quickly dispelled after a rousing start, with the Draft Dodgers putting up a 5-spot and the Italian Stallions responding with four themselves. What followed resembled a heavy-weight boxing match with each team mixing in haymakers only to absorb equal punishment from their opponent.

After the 1st inning, the rhythm set in showing either no scoring or max scoring for both squads. Crafty Drafty’s put up 4 in the 3rd, Nucci’s said we can match. The 5thframe saw Draft piling on 5 more, only to see the Guido’s roar back with a 6-banger to tie the game at 14-14. Both teams’ bats cooled thereafter but the Draft still held a 17-15 lead heading into the bottom of the 8th. Nucci’s decided it was time to put the hammer down with a five-run rally started by the bottom of the order with Russ Roopenian legging out a walk, Karen (‘501’) Smith banging a single and Lil Keehan joining the conga-line with a scorched liner to green-ville USA to bag an RBI. The top of the line-up cleaned up on “aisle five” thereafter. The Draft managed to put one more run on the board in the top of the ninth before the festivities concluded.

Hitting stars for Nucci’s included Laurie (Boom Boom) Mills who went 4 for 5 with 2 HR’s, Kevin Davidge 5 for 5, Tom Carney 3 for 4 & 5 RBI, Al Cabacungan 3 for 4 & 3 RBI and Robert Tahimic 3 for 4. Tom also contributed his Top Gun Arm to cutting down two baserunners advances to snuff out further scoring.

Leading the charge for the Draft Dodgers were Kevin McBarron (4 for 5), Smiling Gene Lachima (5 for 5 & 3 RBI), Bob Thompkins (5 for 5 & 3 RBI), Jeff Schneider (3 for 5 & 4 RBI) and super sub-Joe Uribe (4 for 4 & 2 RBI).

The game had some humorous moments, including third basemen Jimmy Smyth turning what should have been a routine “5-3” double play into a recreation of John Belushi’s character Blutarsky storming the Administration building steps in the movie Animal House when he touched 3rdbase and then began shifting around the infield unsure of what to do next all while his entire team (and all the fans in the stands) shouted for him to throw the damn ball to first! Jack Schwarzel channeled his inner Cal Worthington standing on his head until his ears turned red while attempting to snag a line drive. Unlike Cal, Jack wasn’t able to close the deal, but got an A for effort and a bump on his hand.

The Draft would like to thank Joe Uribe for subbing. Both teams shout out Rick Shaw for showing up with tanned legs blazing to call balls, strikes, out runners safe and safe runners out!

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” ― Mark Twain

The golden rule of senior softball? Hope for the best, but brace for the worst. That was certainly the case at Alga 2, where the game turned into a mix of giveaways and hot potato plays. And if you think only the losing team fumbled away a potential victory, think again—both sides contributed their share of miscues, turning the contest into a modern-day version of the Keystone Cops. Despite the mental and physical lapses, the game remained close, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final out. The baseball gods were equally unforgiving to both teams today.

That said, there were plenty of standout performances worth highlighting. For Gaspar, manager Barry Stangl led the charge with two home runs and a stellar 4-for-5 performance at the plate. Barbara Pardo and Jim Davis also delivered rock-solid hitting, both going 4-for-5, while Gene Smith added a home run of his own. And let’s be clear—these were no fluke hits sneaking through the “five hole.”

Worden Williams had their own offensive firepower, with Bob Buscher shining on both sides of the ball, going 4-for-5 at the plate. Tom Benacka and Gordon Recht each launched home runs, while John Symanski racked up four RBIs and Lloyd Thorne put up a perfect 4-for-4 performance.

Defensively, two plays stood out—one from each team. Both Barry Stangl and Ron Bondshu made clutch grabs on low-flying line drives that could have spelled disaster had they not been caught. Meanwhile, Bob Buscher continued his usual steady play at shortstop.

As for the final score? Worden Williams edged out Gaspar 18-15. Heading into the bottom of the ninth with an 18-10 lead, Gaspar mounted a rally, scoring five runs and bringing the tying run to the plate. But Barb Pardo’s sharp liner down the third-base line was snagged by Bocai, sealing the game.

A special thanks to Jimmie Martin for calling balls and strikes.

Bye: Carlsbad Inn

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