Discount Aluminum Edges Bankers

SEBRING - The Sebring Senior Softball League experienced some near wins and near losses, causing heart-throbs at the Highlands County Sports Complex on Jan. 15.

Discount Aluminum nailed a 19-18 victory on Highlands Independent Bank Sebring.

At the end of the third inning, HIBS led 11-3, but Discount Aluminum came alive by scoring three in the fifth, four in the sixth and five in the seventh innings bringing the score to 18-14.

In the bottom of the eighth, Discount scored five more runs, making the final score 19-18.

James Gilbert, Jim Hensley and Paul Stevenson had identical batting patterns of 4-for-5.

Each banged out a homer and had three RBIs.

Mike Ellis had four hits, and Les Smith and John Schmidt both finished with three hits.

For Highlands Independent Bank Sebring, Emil Hamel went 5-for-6, while Art Kurtz went 3-for-4, including a homer and was credited with three RBI.

The matchup between Highlands Independent Bank Avon Park and the Klingons caused another heart palpitation with an ending score of 16-15.

Klingons led 15-11 in the eighth inning, but HIBAP sprang into action scoring five runs and held off the Klingons from scoring in the bottom of the inning, leaving the tying run on base.

HIBAP's Pierre Bissonneault belted out a homer and added a double for his plate time. Eddie Carrol and Bob Brooks each racked up three hits.

Klingons held tight for seven innings before their grip slipped. Jim Maynard was credited with a bases-loaded triple.

Royal Palms met the Silent Salesman on the diamond showing no compassion.

Their score of 21-8 was tallied with hitters such as Bob Fox boasting a triple, a double, and two singles with four RBI.

Mo Pier went 4-for-4, while Charlie Quinn, Ross Anderson, and Tom Gaiownik had three hits each.

Joe Healey batted in three RBIs with three hits. Bob Floodine went 2-for-4 with a double and single, and Don Thomas had three hits.

In the trouncing at the hands of Royal Palm, most of the Salesman's bats were in the deep freeze.

However, Fred Moore had a double and a triple, while Marvin Knutilla went 3-for-3 with a triple.

Royal Palm's hot hitters were Mike Jurmu and Richard Godfrey with three hits each.

The Reflections and Rebels went head to head with a well played first five innings.

That's when Reflections hitting took hold and their score mounted to a 20-7 victory.

Bill Yeager and Cal Bready each had four hits, while Harry Bell went 3-for-4.

The best hit ball of the game, a triple, came from Kyle Saunder's bat as he had three hits.

The Rebels Tom (Moose) Morrissette blasted a three-run homer in the first inning and finished with three hits.

It was a respectable game with players getting on bases, the Rebels just could not bring them in home. Jerry Mattis and Fred Boyd had four hits, while Stan Turl was 3-for-3 and Don Matthews finished with two hits.

Rainy Thursday brought clouds on some scores but produced sunshine on others.

Highlands Independent Bank Avon Park and the Rebels went an extra inning for a 11-7 win.

The Bank overpowered the Rebels in the ninth inning by driving in five solid runs.

The Rebels lagged behind with scoring only one run in the ninth inning. Rebel's Tom (Moose) Morrissette tripled and Fred Boyd delivered two doubles in the game.

Highlands Independent Bank Avon Park enjoyed a happy win and felt they did a good job defending the field. Charlie Williams did his share banging out four hits.

Royal Palms had a large lead over Highlands Independent Bank Sebring with a final score of 25-10. Going 4-for-4 for the bankers were Ed Marino and Bob Binegar.

Royal Palm reported a home run included in Bob Fox's three hits.

Bob Floodine's had a triple and two doubles, while Joe Healey had one double, two singles and four RBIs.

Jim Longman hit a double, along with two singles, resulting in three RBIs.

In a real nail-biter, the Silent Salesman and Klingons seesawed back and forth with a 10-9 score, the Klingons coming out on top.

The deciding hit was a triple by Bob Silvia in the bottom of the eighth inning, which broke the tie. Don Day had a triple in the game, also.

Jerry Johnston and Mike Jurmu again led the Salesman at the plate. Johnston belted three hits and Jurmu went 2-for-3 with a game-tying homer in the top of the last inning.

Seven other Salesman had two hits each, including Glenn Wearsh who broke out of a season-long batting slump.

18-8 was the final score for Reflections over Discount Aluminum. The Discount guys had a good defense going but came up short on the scoring end.

Reflections John Kloet lead the offense with three hits, including a home run, while Brian Pluta, Ron Lewis and Ed Lindbergadded three hits each.

Spectators are encourage to come to the Complex for games each Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

Eight Teams play simultaneously and the Complex is located on the corner of N. Highlands Avenue and Sheriffs Tower Road. Bleachers are furnished but you may want to bring your lawnchair and enjoy watching the ability and enthusiasm of the over-65 gang.