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Highlands Today

Offense Rules Senior Softball

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Special to Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2009

On Tuesday, February 10th, the Sebring Senior Softball League played at Highlands County Sport Complex in Sebring.

Division 1 is comprised of Highlands Merchants, Highlands Ridge, Andrews Allstate Insurance and Royal Palms, while Division 2 is made up of Silent Salesman, Blue Jays, Rebels and Highlands Independent Bank.

The Highlands Merchants and Royal Palms were experiencing a barnburner going for nine innings. In the eighth inning with two outs, Highlands Merchants scored five runs, taking a one-run lead. Royal Palms, with two outs, tied it in the bottom of the inning, but Merchants rallied in the ninth inning for the winning run in the 13-12 contest.

The Merchants' Ron Lewis had two hits including a double, and six other players each had two hits.

Palms' Bob Weiss hit a home run and Bob Fox had two singles and a triple.

Another uncomfortably close game was between Andrews Allstate Insurance (formerly Aluminum Discount) which quieted the bats of Highlands Ridge with a 4-3 finale. Dan Webb was the winning pitcher, doing a good job on the mound. Larry Sullivan belted out a two-run homer, while Robert Fahnestock and Bob Lott each had two singles.

For Allstate, John Bielman went 3-for-4 and scored two of the four runs. Doug Ebeling was 2-for-4 and Walker Spence made some good defensive plays for Allstate.

Division 2 teams reached home plate more often then Division 1.

The Blue Jays stayed ahead of the Highlands Independent Bank ending with a 23-10 victory. The Jays put their batting ability in home run mode, slamming a total of five homers in the game. Those making the home run stretch were Harold Dinel, Tom Strickland, Don Day, Dick Schiltz and Bob Silva.
Highlands Independent Bank is truly showing improvement, both in hitting and in the field. The game was well pitched by Jimmy Johnson and their teamwork is coming together.

The Rebels met the Silent Salesman head-on with a 17-5 victory. One great heart throbbing moment for the Rebels was when the bases were loaded. "Almighty Moose" Tom Morrissette comes to the batters box with one out. He takes two strikes, tension mounts. Then the inevitable happens, the pitch, a lusty swing, a miss - STRIKE THREE. An almighty cheer comes from the stands yelling "Chicken wings, chicken wings". The Team rule is anyone striking out must buy the team a bucket of chicken wings. Who else but Moose?

Rebels Don Purdy hit a home run. Going 3-for-4 were Tony Caristo, Jim Munroe, Jack Gross, Jerry Mattis, "Moose", Rick Vancuren and Les Reab.

They say "third time is charm", and the Rebels proved it Tuesday.

After losing twice to the Salesman this season,the Rebels turned the tables and trounced the Salesman with a 17-5 surprise. The Salesman started off with a bang, scoring three runs in the first inning. Then, the bats must have gone under thebenches or into the bat bags, as the Salesman managedjusttwo more runs.

They only had 14 hits with 10 men left on base.Leading the Salesman's meager attack were JerryJohnston, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, while Roque Sacarros and Tom Royal had three hits.

Needless to say, good defense was not the order of the day for the Salesman.

Thursday, February 12th, Sebring Senior Softball League was center for several low scoring games, although they were well played.

Highlands Merchants merged to a 7-2 final score against Highlands Ridge.

The Merchants highest scorer was Bill Todd with a triple and was credited with two runs. Brian Pluta had three hits and connecting for two hits were Harry Bell, Jose Torres and Bob Ross. Carl Saunders made a great outfield catch. A fly ball was coming near, he stretched high enough for it to hit the tip of his glove,go up in the air and he caught it barehanded.

Ridge's bats seemed to be asleep, but Tommy Gaiowonik did go 3-for-3 and Earl Kunkel went 2-for-3.
Royal Palms forged ahead when facing Andrews Allstate Insurance (formerly Aluminum Discount) and defeated them 19--8. The Palms Mo Pier shined going 4-for-4, including three triples and four RBI. Bob Mac Carrick was 4-for-5 with a double and four RBI. Charles Quinn hit a single and two triples with four RBI.

Allstate's Larry Solomon went 2-for-4, which included a triple, plus a home run. Rod Palmer and Jim Hensley had three hits.

The Bank had no big hits to boast, but they are having a good time playing. They have a heavy roster and try to play everyone,which is no easy feat.

The Silent Salesman's hot bats prevailed as they got the upper hand over the Blue Jays 14-6.

Leading the Salesman's 28 hit attackwere Mike Jurmu, Don Cunningham, Syd Collins, Roque Socorras and Tom Royal all with three hits.

Banging out extra base hits were Ray Concepcion with a triple and Julian Vanisacker with a double. A strong pitching performance by Dick Harmic and Ken Filppula, and good defenseby all the fielders kept the usually potent bats of the Blue Jays in check. The Blue Jays' Dick Schiltz was credited with a home run and scored three of their six runs.

The Highlands Independent Bank started off their first inning with the Rebels by scoring three runs. Then, they held their ground with a three inning tie, when the knot started slipping and the Rebels started shutting the Bank down. Tony Caristo went 5-for-5 with a grand slam and "Moose" Tom Morrissette had a super day going 4-for-5, including two doubles and a home run.

Don Purdy had three this, including a home run and Jim Munroe was 5-for-5, including a double, while Jim Strietzel and Rick Vancuren had three hits.

The Banks' Bob Burley has had two great games including extra base hits. The Bank players are having fun andtheir scoring is increasing. They have a large roster and are playing everyone which is no easy feat.

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