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Highlands Today

Silent Salesman Win Doubleheader

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Special to Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

On Tuesday, February 17, at the Highlands County Sports Complex, the Highlands Independent Bank and Silent Salesman Teams played two six inning games to make up a postponed game.

In the first game the Salesman jumped to a five run lead in their first at bat and no doubt the Bankers thought, "Oh boy, here we go again, another wide margin loss."

However, that was not the case as the Bank team played one of its best games of the season before losing 8-6.

Swinging hot bats for the winners were Mike Jurmu, who went 2-for-3 with a home run,

Richard Godfrey had a home run, Julian Vanisacker smacked a triple and Marvin Knutilla went 3-for-3, while Harley Shadmith was the winning pitcher with three scoreless innings of relief.

Highlands Independent Bank top hitters were Carl Puffenbur with two hits and three RBII and Ralph Rhotin hit a triple.

In the second game the Bankers failed to keep pace and the Salesman won 21-6.

Having a good day at bat was Don Cunningham with two home runs and Syd Collins with three hits, including a home run.

Mike Jurmu went 4-for-4 and Tom Royal went 3-for-3, while seven other Salesman had two hits each.

The Banker's Bob Burley and Carl Puffenbur each hit a home run. All in all it was a great day at the old Ball Park and encouraging seeing the Highlands Independent Bank team showing such great strides.

Highlands Ridge and Royal Palms had a duel going that ended in a 10-8 victory for the Ridge.

They scored five runs in the top of the first inning and five runs in the seventh.

Top hitters for Ridge going 2-for-3 were Walker Spence, Curt Brown, Joe Healy, Andy Timermanis and Kenney Stanek, while Doug Ebeling produced the lone home run of the game.

The Palms high hitter was Larry Lane going 3-for-3, including a triple, while Charley Quinn had three hits with two doubles.

Highlands Merchants beat Andrews Allstate Insurance 22-6.

Bob Roth had three hits, including a home run and Carl Saunders was 2-for-3 with a homer, while Ross McMinn and Bill Todd each had three hits.

Victor Rodriquez went 3-for-4 with a double and Wayne Hill made several good defensive plays at the shortstop position.

Allstate batters having the most hits were Bob Lott and Larry Solomon.

Thursday's Games

At the Complex on Thursday, February 19, the wind was in control of where hit balls went most of the morning. Several teams have new uniforms and they have brightened the playing fields. The spectators enjoy the teams colorful outfits.

Highlands Merchants and Royal Palms game ended rather lopsided with a 19-3 score in favor of the Merchants. Their biggest feat was a grand slam by Kyle Saunders.

Bill Todd had three hits, including a three-run homer, while Wayne Hill and Billy Yeager banged out three hits.

Palms best contributors were Bobby Floodine, Don Ward and Charlie Williams with two singles each.

Highlands Ridge met Andrews Allstate Insurance with a little less force, but did win 12-4. Ridges John Bielman stood out from the others with two, two-run homers, while Walker Spence and Curt Brown had three hits.

Allstate's Larry Solomon, Rod Palmer and Jim Hensley had two hits each.

The Rebels faced Silent Salesman sporting snazzy new uniforms. The game was a defensive battle from the start. The Salesman played almost flawlessly and held the Rebels scoreless for six innings, while building a four run lead at that point.

The Rebels scored three runs in the last two innings, but a few fielding miscues permitted the Salesman to score four more runs for a final score of 8-3.

Extra base hits were scarce but Jerry Johnston managed a triple for the Salesman, while Syd Collins went 4-for-4 and Ken Filppula and Mike Jurmu had two hits.

A strong pitching performance by Harley Smith, despite a strong wind, helped keep the Rebels score lower than usual.

Rebels were paced by Tony Caristo's two hits, Les Reab and Don Purdy went 3-for-3, while Jerry Mattis, Stan Turl and Diz Jones reached base twice.

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