October 2009 News Archive
 October 2nd - The home team of the three team contest won the game in dramatic fashion this morning. They pulled the game out in the bottom of the last frame by scoring two runs. The winning run scored on a two out hit by John Smith in his first game since returning from Ithaca, New York. Welcome back, John.
All three teams scored the maximum five runs in the first inning. Short of performing research, this may be the first time that has occurred. The first five batters scored for Team One. After Freddy Gonzalez got aboard on an error, Chris Constantine doubled to right centerfield. Freddy scored easily on the hit to the opposite field. With first base open, Ron Thompson drew a walk but Angel Merced made the pitcher regret his strategic move when he crushed a triple. Don Kemp drove Angel in on a misplayed ball and Don came around to score the fifth run when George Radlein doubled with his patented hit to rightfield. Team Two responded with five runs of their own. Lead off hitter Vassurl Bess singled but the next two batters made outs. The fly out by Brent Alumbaugh advanced 
Vassurl to second base. Not a single run was on the scoreboard yet before the next three hitters had clutch singles. Fred Dampier, Russ King, and Don Scarbrough all had base knocks. The inning was topped off with a three run, inside-the-park homer by Carl Luebking.
The third team scored their five runs with no outs in the books after the inning was finished. Al Andrews, Larry Wells, and Ron Butler all singled to begin the home first before Bob Zelazny sent his 18th double of the off season towards right centefield for two runs. RBI singles by Eddie Diaz and Walt Leggett assured the team of five runs for the frame. The first team took a temporary lead in the third when they put up another five spot. The top of the lineup did the damage along with the errant gloves of the defense. Freddy Gonzalez doubled to start the third before Chris Constantine lined out to pitcher Eddie Diaz. Ron Thompson and Angel Merced followed with base hits. What came next was a landslide of errors from a defensive meltdown. One batter reached base on a dropped ball in the outfield, two men got aboard on dropped relays in the infield, and one was safe on a booted ground ball in the infield. By the time the shell shocked fielders had time to breathe, five runs were on the boards and Team One had a 11-5-8 lead heading into the middle of the third inning. The home team tied the score with the first team after their inning was in the books. Al Andrews lead off with a double and scored on a Larry Wells base hit. Larry took a runner at first and Ron Butler singled him to third base. Eddie Diaz drove home the second run and a single from the bat of Walt Leggett knocked in the third run. At the end of three innings of play, the score was 11-5-11. Team Two would get some offense going but would wind up with 11 total runs for the game. The see-saw battle between the first and third teams continued into the fourth frame. Gale Doty, who finished the day going 3 for 4, started things off for Team One with a base rap. He was forced at second when Tom Snider grounded 
into a fielder's choice. After Gale was replaced on the base paths by Tom, Skip Morrison drew his 11th walk of the off season. Skip was among the top three in that category a couple of months ago. Freddy Gonzalez singled after the free pass to Skip. The final two runs of the four run frame scored on misplayed balls in the infield.
Once again, Team One took the lead heading into the middle of the fourth inning. The score was 15-5-11. That lead would hold for another inning. The third squad kept punching away as they rallied for four in the fifth and four more in the sixth. The bottom of the lineup came through in a big way in the sixth inning. Richard Marino, John Smith, Gene Baker, and Aristotle Harris each singled before Lee Baker drew a bases loaded walk. Larry Wells and Ron Butler connected for base hits before the third out was recorded. At the end of six innings of play, the score stood at 19-11-19. Singles by George Radlein, Pat Accetta, and Tom Snider accounted for the lone run in the top of the seventh. Team Three would need two runs to ensure themselves of the top score in the three team contest. In the bottom of the seventh frame, Eddie Diaz and Walt Leggett each reached base on errors. The next batter flew out for a sacrifice fly but that should have been the third out. It wasn't. John Smith came through with a grounder past the second baseman for the game winner. LEADING HITTERS: Fred Dampier - 3 for 3. John Smith - 3 for 4 with 1 triple. Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. Walt Leggett - 3 for 4 with 1 double. George Radlein - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Pat Accetta - 3 for 4. Ron Butler - 3 for 4. Eddie Diaz - 3 for 4. Gale Doty - 3 for 4. Larry Wells - 3 for 4.
A new player tried his hand at softball this morning. Aristotle Harris played third base for the top scoring team and went 2 for 3. He is a snowbird who lives in Saranac Lake, New York during the summer months. Please consider joining the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club twice a week, Aristotle. October 6th - Two fields were used for the games this morning. The team on Temple Field racked up 13 runs in a winning effort and the squad on Navel Field lost while scoring 13 runs.
The game on Temple Field may have set some sort of speed record. The games are scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM and the contest was over at 10:05 AM. It may have started earlier than expected but no time was wasted during the nine inning game.
LEADING HITTERS: Jim Laffoon - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. Bob Zelazny - 5 for 5. Fred Dampier - 3 for 3 with 1 double & 1 walk. Brent Alumbaugh - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 double. Frank Miller - 3 for 4. Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4.
According to the extremely inaccurate score sheets for the game on Navel Field, the losing team played a flawless defense. Not a single error was recorded in the error laden game. The score keepers for the losing team did a fraction better as they logged five errors while they were batting.
LEADING HITTERS: Carl Luebking - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. Sam Lopez - 5 for 5 with 1 double. Chuck Duff - 3 for 3 with 3 walks. Freddy Gonzalez - 4 for 5 with 3 doubles. Ron Thompson - 4 for 5 with 1 walk.
Ed Schmiekede returned from St. Louis, Missouri and played in the game on Navel Field. Welcome back, Ed. October 9th - Only one field was made available for the morning game, and the head count of players merited three teams. Sam Harrell made his 2009 pitching debut today. He was successful as his team scored 15 while giving up only nine runs. Since he is a new pitcher, batters were not allowed to walk. He would have walked only one batter had balls and strikes been called. Job well done, Sam.
It took until the third inning for Team One to figure out the "rookie" pitcher. They where shutout by Sam Harrell through the first two frames. The third began with two straight outs before Sam Lopez reached base on a dropped ball in the infield. Any run scored would be unearned due to the error. Ron Butler singled, which advanced the pinch runner for Sam to third. Ron crept into second on the throw to third from the outfield. Roger Edwards singled to leftfield and drove in both base runners as Team One scored two unearned runs in the third. After posting a goose egg on the scoreboard in the fourth frame, the first team was at it again in the fifth. Ron Butler began the one out rally with a base knock, followed by a double from the bat of Roger Edwards. The next batter made it to first on an infield error as one run crossed the plate. Singles by Pat Accetta and Joel Freedman drove home the final two runs of the inning. Team One made their final run at a win in the sixth inning. Tom Snider connected for a base hit to begin the inning and charged to second when the next batter grounded out to the shortstop. Although the ball was mishandled, the runner was still out at first as Tom sighed a deep breath of relief for being safe at second. A booted ground ball allowed the next batter to get aboard and a lineout to pitcher Sam Harrell should have been the third out. Only one run had scored and every run thereafter would be unearned. The offense made them pay as Ron Butler singled and Roger Edwards and Eddie Diaz pounded out back-to-back doubles. In all, four runs scored in the sixth inning. Team Two started off with hot bats. Leadoff hitter Vassurl Bess drew his 13th walk of the off season. Doug Chamlee, batting in the number two hole, doubled to the opposite field, scoring Vassurl. After Doug requested a pinch runner from second base, Russ King stepped to the plate and delivered a run scoring single, which was also to the opposite field. Pitcher Marvin Taylor had the last hit of the inning but ended up scoring a run because of misplays made by the defense. Four runs scored for Team Two in the opening frame. The second inning was nonproductive for the second team but they did manage to score in the third. Vassurl Bess singled and raced to third on a Russ King base hit. Vassurl made it home when the next batter grounded into a fielder's choice that erased the runner for Russ. Two successive dry innings followed. Rich Moots, who singled in the fourth, was the only batter to get on base as seven men went to the plate and six made outs. The power of Chuck Duff helped the team in the final two innings. He doubled in his last two at bats, driving in three of the four runs scored by Team Two. Team Three was helped by errors when they scored five runs in the first frame. Frank Miller and Angel Merced started with singles before the next batter grounded into a fielder's choice to the shortstop. Frank was out when the throw was made to third base. The third baseman caught a line drive from the bat of Don Kemp for the second out. Pitcher Sam Harrell, who was aided with defensive miscues for a win, made it aboard on a booted ball in the infield. Since that would have been out number three, all runs were unearned in the first inning. And there were a lot of runs. Marshall Bloom singled in a couple of base runners after Sam reached first. The last two batters also made it aboard from misplayed balls in the infield. Richard Marino and Gale Doty each drove in a run in the effort. Five unearned runs crossed the plate in the home first. The second frame went well for the home team. John Merritt, who went 3 for 3 with three runs scored, began with a base hit. Skip Morrison was safe at first after his grounder was not scooped up cleanly in the infield. Frank Miller banged out his second straight single before the next batter was safe from an error. The final two runs scored when Freddy Gonzalez had one of his patented doubles. That little line drive over the second baseman is almost always good for a double for the speedy Freddy. He is leading with 57 two baggers during the off season. Team Three added to their lead in the third by scoring three more times. Little did anyone know but they already had all the runs needed to win the game after two innings were in the books. Richard Marino singled to open the bottom of the third but was out trying to stretch it to third base when Gale Doty singled. For all the scorekeepers out there, that should not have been ruled a fielder's choice as the sheet indicated. John Merritt singled after the play at third and the opposing pitcher raked up a strikeout on the next batter. A two out double by Frank Miller drove home a run and so did a base rap by Angel Merced. Team Three added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth frames. Marshall Bloom and Richard Marino had the singles to advance and score the batter who preceded them in the lineup. That unnamed batter was safe on a fielder's choice, which rubbed out the batter who reached base on a booted grounder. John Merritt singled and scored when Angel Merced doubled deep to left centerfield for the lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The home team did not need to bat in the seventh frame. LEADING HITTERS: Roger Edwards - 4 for 4 with 3 doubles. Russ King - 4 for 4. John Merritt - 3 for 3. Angel Merced - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Frank Miller - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Marshall Bloom - 3 for 4. Ron Butler - 3 for 4.
The Winter Haven DiamondPlex fields are not yet ready so the games will be played at the Auburndale Softball Complex next week. It won't be long before we will be moving back to our home fields. The league is very grateful to the crew at the Auburndale Softball Complex for allowing us to play there for the past two months. October 13th - This may be the last week the league plays at the Auburndale Softball Complex and the grounds crew may be relieved because two fields were put into use this morning.
The visitors romped the home team on Temple Field. They had a seven run lead after three innings of play and never looked back. Don Kemp was inserted into the cleanup slot and he stepped up as he had six hits in seven trips to the plate. He also drove in five runs with his timely hitting. Brent Alumbaugh swung a potent bat this morning. He connected for an inside-the-park homer, a triple, and two doubles. He was a single short of hitting for the cycle today. Eddie Diaz picked up the pitching win and also contributed with his bat. Eddie connected for an inside-the-park homer and a triple. The home team could not seem to get uncorked until the eighth inning when they pushed six runs across home plate. Jim Laffoon, leading all hitters during the off season with an outstanding batting average of .778, went 4 for 6 with two doubles. Angel Merced, a threat at the plate, batted after Jim and went 4 for 6, too. LEADING HITTER: Don Kemp - 6 for 7 with 1 double.
The visitors began hot and held the lead until the sixth inning. The home team exploded for five runs in the sixth and ended up with a 13-11 victory. Jerry Witter made the trek from New York to play in his first game since shortly after the 2009 season ended and picked up the pitching win. Sam Harrell was on the mound as the opposing pitcher. LEADING HITTERS: Dean Schapeler - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 1 walk. Fred Dampier - 4 for 5 with 2 homers & 1 walk. Ed Kline - 4 for 5. Ed Schmiedeke - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
Chuck Duff graciously volunteered to umpire behind the plate on Temple Field and Don Witmer took over the duties on Navel Field. Thank you Chuck and Don. Ed Kline returned from Mt. Vernon, Ohio and Jerry Witter returned from Addison, New York. Welcome back, Ed and Jerry. A total of 50 games have been played in the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club since the season ended. Listed are the leaders in each of the categories that have been compiled since the season came to a close.
* - Must have played over one half of the games. Note: The statistics are only as accurate as the score sheets. October 16th - The farewell games were played at the Auburndale Softball Complex. The league moved there on August 14th and played 19 games in Auburndale while the DiamondPlex went through some major renovations. A huge "Thank you" is extended to the Auburndale Parks and Recreations Department for allowing the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club to use their fields during the time of restoration on our home diamonds.
The weather was cooler than usual but the skies were cloudy with a 60% threat of rain in the forecast. The weather warriors did not miss on this one because the games were called before completion because of rain. Six complete innings were played on Temple Field. The home team lead in the beginning but succumbed to the visitors. Don Kemp carried his hot bat through this contest as he went 4 for 4 with three doubles and an inside-the-park homer. He has found his groove lately and has been performing better since moving from the number two hole in the batting order. He also scored all four times he got on base. Angel Merced hit a ball deep to left centerfield for an inside-the-park homer for the home team. LEADING HITTERS: Don Kemp - 4 for 4 with 1 homer & 3 doubles. Brent Alumbaugh - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Freddy Gonzalez - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Ron Butler - 3 for 4. Eddie Diaz - 3 for 4. Ed Kline - 3 for 4.
The rains came and mercifully ended the anguish for the visiting team after they batted in the seventh frame. The home team crushed the ball this morning. Chris Constantine was hitting the ball in batting practice like he was Superman's big brother and he carried it into the game. Chris had four hits in five trips to the plate with two doubles. Team mate Al Andrews couldn't dink a single but knocked an inside-the-park homer, a double, and a triple in his attempt to hit for the cycle. Ron Thompson went 3 for 4 with the visiting team in a losing effort but didn't have much help elsewhere in the lineup. Opposing pitcher Dick Sessink pitched well on this dark and gloomy morning. LEADING HITTERS: Chris Constantine - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Ron Thompson - 3 for 4 with 1 double.
Two players returned to the ball field this morning. Fred Ducham pulled in from Sanford, Michigan and Mike Stepp arrived from Clinton, TWP, Michigan. Welcome back, Fred and Mike. October 20th - After much anticipation, the fields at the DiamondPlex were revealed to the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club. Although the infield was smooth and on the soft side, the outfield grass on the fields has a way to go before it will have that polished look.
The visiting team built up such a lead that the "Flip Flop" rule was in jeopardy of being initiated in the ninth inning. As it turned out, the home team made a valiant effort to come back from a 21-6 deficit, scored six runs, and were down by nine heading into the last frame. The new rule is applied when a team is behind by at least 10 runs. The winning team found the gaps in the outfield as they connected for several extra base hits. Eddie Diaz had an inside-the-park homer and a double, Brent Alumbaugh hit two triples and a double, and Fred Dampier and Don Kemp each had two doubles. Ed Kline had a triple and Dean Schapeler hit a triple for the home team in the losing cause. LEADING HITTERS: Elvis Abney - 4 for 5. Doug Chamlee - 4 for 5. Chris Constantine - 3 for 4 with 1 walk. Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4 with 1 sacrifice fly.
The home team scored the maximum five runs in five of the eight innings they went to bat. And bat they did! Seven of the twelve hitters in the lineup are listed in the leading hitters this morning. LEADING HITTERS: Freddy Gonzalez - 4 for 4 with 4 doubles. Tim Gallagher - 4 for 4. Sam Lopez - 4 for 5 with 1 double. Doug McLellan - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Angel Merced - 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 sacrifice fly. Dick Sessink - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Larry Wells - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Bill Miller - 3 for 4. Rich Moots - 3 for 4.
Gene Baker went to the home of Bill Spring to check on him. Bill has not played ball in at least three months. Bill told Gene that he was going to leave the ball playing to "the younger guys". Bill had been a long standing member of the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club and he played past his 90th birthday. He will turn 91 this December 14th. Thank you, Bill, for all your years at the field. You will be missed by all. Doug McLellan returned from Keswick,Ontario, Canada and continued where he left off as he banged out his fifth homer of the off season. Welcome back, Doug. Ted Granoski made his long awaited return to the diamond. He endured two back surgeries and has been out of commission as a player for two years. Ted last played during the 2007 season when he also managed the Kentucky Fried Chicken Gold team. He didn't play in 2008 but managed the Polk Therapy Green team to a second place finish. Ted performed volunteer duties as an umpire before his first operation and while recovering from his second time under the knife. Welcome back, Ted. Bill Miller is visiting from Texas. He found the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club website and requested to play ball with the guys for a week. He played in Lakeland yesterday morning and hit a deep inside-the-park homer in his first at bat in Florida. Thank you for visiting, Bill. October 23rd - Two closely contested games were played this morning. In each game, the home team was able to send the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Nine of the 11 batters for the home team were able to touch home for a run. Therefore, everyone in the lineup contributed in some way. The only two batters who didn't score were Eddie Diaz, who had 4 hits in 5 trips to the plate, and Rich Moots, who went 3 for 5 with a double. The batters in the top half of the scorecard for the visiting team did almost all the damage en route to the victory. Joel Freedman lead the way for the lower half as he went 3 for 4. He was line driving the ball in all directions in the game today. Good placement on your hits, Joel. LEADING HITTERS: Fred Dampier - 5 for 5 with 3 doubles. Bill Miller - 5 for 5 with 1 double. Eddie Diaz - 4 for 5 with 1 triple & 1 double. Ron Butler - 4 for 5 with 1 triple. Rusty Landahl - 4 for 5. Joel Freedman - 3 for 4 with 1 walk.
The home team came within one run of tying the game and sending it into extra innings. In fact, the scoreboard that was openly displayed behind home plate incorrectly showed a 16-16 tie after the completion of nine innings of play. The score sheet, however, indicated the score was 17-16 in favor of the visiting team. In an effort to come back from a seven run deficit, the home team pushed six runs across the plate. Gene Baker came through with his third hit in four trips to the plate, took a runner from first, and that runner scored the second run in the ninth frame. Freddy Gonzalez and Carl Luebking each banged out two baggers and Angel Merced hit a solo inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the ninth frame. LEADING HITTERS: Don Scarbrough - 5 for 5. Doug Chamlee - 4 for 4 with 1 double. Doug McLellan - 3 for 3 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 sacrifice fly. Gene Baker - 3 for 4. Gale Doty - 3 for 4. John Smith - 3 for 4.
Erv Fitzke returned from Elkhart, Indiana. He began the game playing for the visiting team on Fred White Field but was traded in the second inning for Sam Harrell. That may have been a first. Welcome back, Erv. Bill Miller joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning. He lives in Morgan, Texas. Welcome aboard, Bill. Two ball players tried out this morning. Denny Duryea is a snowbird and spends his summers in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Bert Snyder resides in Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey. Please consider joining Denny and Bert. October 27th - For the first time since December 12, 2008, enough players showed up to have a total of five teams after the lineups were all put together. The three team game was contested on Fred White Field while the two team and nine inning game was played on Field E.
The most notable comment for this game was that pitcher Jerry Witter tossed a five hitter to even his off season record at 3-3. The only extra base hit was achieved by Sam Lopez. He connected for a deep triple to the opposite field. All five leading hitters listed were team mates on Team Three. LEADING HITTERS: Ed Kline - 4 for 4. Ron Thompson - 3 for 3 with 1 homer, 1 triple, & 1 walk. Rich Moots - 3 for 3. Eddie Diaz - 3 for 4 with 1 homer & 2 doubles. Bob Zelazny - 3 for 4.
Extra base hits were collected in bunches on Field E this morning. Jim Laffoon crushed two opposite field inside-the-park homers, Angel Merced had three deep triples, and Doug McLellan smashed four doubles. In addition, Freddy Gonzalez had three doubles and Pat Accetta, Brent Alumbaugh, Russ King, and Frank Miller each produced two doubles. Great hitting, guys. LEADING HITTERS: Angel Merced - 5 for 5 with 3 triples. Frank Miller - 5 for 5 with 2 doubles. Russ King - 4 for 4 with 2 doubles & 1 walk. Larry Nelson - 2 for 2. Jim Laffoon - 4 for 5 with 2 homers. Doug McLellan - 4 for 5 with 4 doubles.
The players from the north are beginning to slowly trickle in to the old ball park. Gene Morey returned from Howard City, Michigan and Ted Taylor arrived from Markham, Ontario, Canada. Welcome back, Gene and Ted. Larry Nelson joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club this morning. He is in town for a tournament and is using the opportunity to play in our morning league. He resides in Roseville, Minnesota. Welcome aboard, Larry. October 30th - There was a cloud of fog at sign in time but it lifted before batting practice wound down. The temperature was estimated to reach the 90° F mark but it was overcast most of the game. When the sun peeked through and the breeze died down, and it felt every bit of the predicted temperature.
Team Two took the lead in the first frame and continued to build on it as the game progressed into the later innings. Although they went scoreless in the last two frames, Team Two still coasted to an easy win. Perhaps the biggest reason that team was so successful was due to the bottom of the batting order. The last three batters scored three runs each. Jim Boice went 4 for 5, Rich Moots reached base every time, although three times were due to infield errors, and Joe DeForge went 2 for 4 with a walk. Lee Baker batted last for Team One but inspired the squad by reaching base three of four times. He went 1 for 2 and drew two free passes. Lee also scored three runs. LEADING HITTERS: Frank Miller - 5 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. Ron Thompson - 4 for 4 with 1 triple, 1 double, & 1 walk. Ed Kline - 3 for 3. Eddie Diaz - 4 for 5 with 1 homer & 1 double. Jim Boice - 4 for 5. Larry Wells - 4 for 5. Bill Miller - 3 for 4 with 1 homer. Fred Dampier - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Mike Stepp - 3 for 4 with 1 double. Marvin Taylor - 3 for 4.
The visiting team had a deep offensive lineup and the other fielded the most solid defense. As it turned out, the best defensive team didn't commit one single error but they were still unable to stop the potent bats of the visiting squad. The "Flip-Flop" rule was enforced because the score stood at 29-13 after eight innings of play was in the books. Before the home team explosion of eight runs in the eighth, they were down 29-5. Brent Alumbaugh smashed an inside-the-park homer and a double in the final two frames in a losing effort, while Doug McLellan pounded out two doubles. Carl Luebking contributed with a triple and a single. All three team mates scored once each in the eighth and ninth innings. LEADING HITTERS: Jim Laffoon - 6 for 6 with 1 triple & 2 doubles. Freddy Gonzalez - 6 for 6 with 3 doubles. Brent Alumbaugh - 5 for 6 with 1 homer & 3 doubles. Doug McLellan - 5 for 6 with 4 doubles. Bob Zelazny - 5 for 6 with 1 triple. Russ King - 5 for 6 with 2 doubles. Doug Chamlee - 5 for 6 with 1 double. Dick Sessink - 5 for 6. Larry Nelson - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles & 1 walk.
Fred Dampier and Angel Merced will play with the Lakeshore All Stars in a wood bat double header against an all star team from the wood bat league in Sebring. The game will take place tomorrow morning at Eagles Field in Nalcrest. Good luck Fred and Angel. Today marked the last day of play for Bill Miller. He joined the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club while visiting from Morgan, Texas for two weeks. Softball playing days are over until March of 2010 in his location of North Texas. Gotta love this Florida weather, guys. Thank you for playing Bill and please return in the future. Jim Boice arrived from Natick, Massachusetts for one game. He is visiting family in the area. Jim is on the Board of Directors in his home town and is commissioner for one of the three leagues there. Thank you for joining us today Jim. Ray Mills is from New Albany, Indiana and played on a trial basis this morning. Please come back and join the Winter Haven Senior Softball Club, Ray. October 31st - Saturday - An all star team from the Sebring wood bat league traveled to Nalcrest and played a double header against the Lakeshore All Stars. Regino Gutierrez managed the Lakeshore squad.
Francisco Cosme took the mound for the first game and held Sebring to three runs as Lakeshore won the game by a score of 10-3. With the exception of the first inning when three runs were scored, Francisco shut down the powerful bats of the opposition. The best hit of the first game came from the bat of Dan Casey. He connected for a deep shot over the head of the defending leftfielder for a triple and drove home two runs in the five run frame. Raphael Rivera started 
the second game for Lakeshore and was relieved by Matt McKulvey in the first inning.
The two teams battled tooth and nail. Sebring was leading 6-5 heading into the seventh and final frame. Lakeshore displayed some clutch hitting in their turn at bat. They connected for four consecutive two out hits in the seventh inning. The Ray Sanchez single drove Fred Dampier home for the tying run in the top of the last inning of regulation play. Three runners were stranded on base when the third out was made. With the score knotted at 6-6, Lakeshore held Sebring scoreless in the bottom of the seventh. The game continued into extra innings but Lakeshore succumbed in the bottom of the 10th frame when the winning run crossed the plate as shortstop Miguel Negron fired the ball home. The ball, which beat the runner from third, shot out of the catcher's glove and the game came to a completion. Sebring came out victors in the 7-6 contest. Lefty Miguel Negron hit a deep opposite field hit over the head of the leftfielder for a double and another left handed hitter, Raphael Rivera, pulled the ball to rightfield. The ball hit the fence on one bounce and Raphael coasted to second for a two bagger. The two hits were significant because the Worth ball wasn't the best quality softball and became softer and softer as the game continued. The strong arms of the Lakeshore infield turned in some sparkling plays in the two games. Shortstop Miguel Negron, third baseman Alberto Guerrero, and second baseman Dan Casey played hard and held Sebring at bay on balls hit in the infield. Freddy Gonzalez, who joined Lakeshore for the double header, made two fine running catches and threw two runners out at second base, turning potential base hits into fielder's choice plays. Fred Dampier and Raphael Rivera also made excellent grabs in the outfield. Both fielders had to charge in hard to make the catches. The Lakeshore All Stars plan to head to Sebring on November 28th for the next wood bat doubleheader. |
September 2009