Highlands Ridge outslugs Merchants

The Sebring Senior Softball League began its second series of the season Tuesday, as Highlands Ridge met its match against Highlands Merchants. Ridge came out on top, 11-9, as Ridge's Andy Timermanis went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, Dennis Birkholtz was 2-for-3 with two runs, and Tommy Gaiownik and Doug Stewart each had two hits.

The Merchants' Bobby Fulcher had a three-run homer, Jose Torres went 3-for-3 with a double, Kyle Saunders, Victor Rodriquez and Harry Bell each had two hits.

It has been said that "turnabout is fair play," so that is what Allstate Insurance did as it took an 18-13 win over the Silent Salesman. On their first meeting this season, the Salesman had come out on top but fell short this time on a gallant effort to overcome Allstate's two five-run innings early in the game.

Several outstanding plays by Allstate's outfielders determined the final outcome. Allstate's Rod Palmer was good for a home run. Larry Soloman belted a triple, while teammates James Gilbert, Larry Kawitter, Robert Fahnestock, Rudy Pribble and Don Ward contributed to the win.

Salesman Don Cunningham legged out a triple while Richard Godfrey and Harold Baucom each rapped out a double. Ray Concepcion went 3-for-3 and Syd Collins had three hits, but it was too little, too late.

Blue Jays roll

The Blue Jays took flight over Royal Palms for a 17-15 win. The Jays' Bob Burley was 4-for-4, including a triple and 4 RBIs. Bob Sylvia went 3-for-3 with a triple. Dick Schlitz had had two triples, and Bob Brooks and Jim Johnson went 4-for-5.

The Palms home-run hitter was Bob MacCarrick, who went 3-for-4. Elwood Black was 1-for-4 with a triple. Ross Anderson and Doug Hammond each had two hits, and Bob Fox and Jim Longman each were 3-for-4.

Rebels stomped on Highlands Independent Bank with a 23-11 victory. Rebels' Don Purdy and Jim Strietzel each went 4-for-4, including a double. Also with four hits was Jerry Mattis, Les Reab and Tony Caristo. Going 3-for-4 were Diz Jones, Jack Grosso, Rollie Carlson, Don Matthews and John Degnen.

The Bank scored 11 runs on 13 hits. Top hitters were John Schmidt (3 for 3), and Al Taratuta, Ken Crandall and Mike Ellis were 2-for-3.

On Thursday, the Silent Salesman Team battled the strong Highlands Merchants in a close, exciting game and came out on top, 17-15. The Merchants came to bat in the last inning seven runs down and rallied for five runs before leaving the tying run on first base. Salesman held the Merchants' big innings down until the last inning.

Good pitching by the Salesman's Harley Smith was evident in the last inning with one out and the tying run on first, as he got the next two batters to pop-up to the catcher and a routine fly ball, which ended the rally. It was singles day for the Salesman batters as all 20 hits were of the one-base variety. Dale Demar and Harold Baucom had three hits and five other batters had two hits apiece.

The Merchants' stronger hitters were J. C. Brown, who went 1-for-3 including a home run, Eddie Lindberg was 2-for-4 with a triple, and Wayne Hill was 2-for-4 with a double. Bobby Fulcher went 3-for-4 with a double. Bobby Richards was 2-for-3 and Victor Rodriquez had three hits.

Highlands Ridge toppled Allstate Insurance, 25-18. They were tied in the top of the eighth inning, 18-18, when Ridge scored seven runs and held Allstate at bay. Ridge's Doug Stewart had a good day, going 4-for-5 including a double, triple and four RBIs. John Bielman and Andy Timermanus each had four hits. Dennis Birkholtz, Jerry O'Brien, Bobby Floodine and John Pinna had three hits.

Allstate's batters Jim Hensley and Paul Stephenson went 2-for-3. Rod Palmer was 3-for-4 and Bob Fahnestock hit 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Royal Palms put the pressure on the Rebels with a 16-8 victory. Palms' Ross Anderson went 3-for-3 including two doubles and four RBIs. Elwood Black was 3-for-4 with a double and Jim Quartier was 2-for-4 including a double. Bob MacCarrick had two hits, and Pete Mathews and Dorin Quigg had three hits.

The Rebels' Jim Strietzel went 3-for-3 including a double. Jerry Mattis and John Degnen had three hits. Fred Boyd, Jack Grosso and Rick Vancuren had two hits. A big thank-you went to Don Levantovich for filling in for an injured player. Rebels had three players injured.

The biggest margin of the day was the Blue Jays shutting the Bank's doors with a 22-0 shutout. The Blue Jays' Bob Brooks, Don Day and Dick Schiltz went 4-for-5. Dave Crotser had three hits.

The Bank had three batters who went 3-for-5: Ken Crandall, Galo Gonzalez and Harold Buff.

Spectators are invited to watch the games, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m. at the Highlands County Sports Complex north of the Sebring High School.