Senior Softball ends with exciting tournament

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Mike Galatis Eagle Contributor Members of the Sand Bar team celebrate winning the Island Division tournament of the Senior Softball League.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Mike Galatis Eagle Contributor Sand Bar's John Sherwin slams a base hit in Senior Softball action.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Mike Galatis Eagle Contributor Sand Bar's Jack Mateja makes long throw from third to thRow out a Cheers player as umpire Skip Kendall looks on.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Mike Galatis Eagle Contributor Cheer's Craig Cunningham, who had a strong season at the plate, tosses ball back into infield against Sand Bar in Senior Softball action.

This is the final recap from a very exciting and competitive Marco Men’s Senior Softball season. The tournament saw three of the last four games decided by one run each. The regular season champions did not repeat as Island or Marco Division tournament winners.

ISLAND DIVISION

TOURNAMENT GAMES

Cheers, 9, Rookies, 8

The final score came down to a sacrifice fly by Dan Dumbauld, scoring Craig Cunningham for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The loss knocked Rookies out of the tournament, setting up another showdown between Cheers and Sand Bar in the championship game. Pete Oellrich stroked a two-run home run in the first inning as part of the five runs scored by Rookies.

Cheers responded by scoring three in the bottom of the first and another three in the third, recapturing the lead, 6-5.

Paul Shelton continued pounding the ball for Cheers, driving in five runs on three hits, including a two-run homer. Cunningham and David Banghart each lined three hits in the win, with Banghart hammering a home run. Rich Krumholz and Ray Niemeyer each had three hits for Rookies, with Mike Behr collecting two RBI.

Sand Bar made it to the championship by downing Bertram’s Total Joint Centers and Cheers in the double-elimination tourney.

2011 Championship Game

Sand Bar, 17, Cheers, 4

Jim George, manager for Sand Bar, pitched a nine-hitter against the slugging Cheers, the regular-season champions. George also was the offensive spark, driving in five runs, capping off an excellent season personally, as well as the team.

Sand Bar jumped off to an early lead due to sloppy fielding by Cheers. Sand Bar ended any hope of a Cheers comeback, scoring seven runs in the ninth, three coming on a crushing three-run home run by Larry Anspach. Jack Mateja blistered four hits and Jimmy “Brooklyn” Cuevas, Tom McCullough and Murph Knapke had two RBI each for Sand Bar.

Paul Shelton continued spanking the ball for Cheers, having three hits in the game and the power-hitting Craig Cunningham whacked a triple and a double.

MARCO DIVISION

TOURNAMENT GAMES

Crazy Flamingo, 8, Mutual of Omaha Bank, 5

The Marco Division champions were sent home for the season, due to the pitching of Joe Furst of Flamingo. Furst kept the powering-hitting bats of the Bank in check after they scored three runs in the first inning, tying the game at 3-3.

The game was again tied at 5-5 going into the final inning when Crazy’s pushed three runs across for the win.

Jim White had three RBI, including the go-ahead RBI in the seventh. Leon Schmitt and Tony Brock each ripped three hits and Bill Kayhart drove home two runs in the win. John Ranieri, the 80-year-young bionic knee player for the Bank, had three hits. Dick DeAnna and Ed Brack each smacked triples for the Bank.

CJ’s on the Bay made it to the championship round by downing Joey’s Pizza and Mutual of Omaha Bank in the double elimination tournament.

2011 Championship Game

CJ’s on the Bay, 11, Crazy Flamingo, 10

CJ’s won the Marco Division tournament title, scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally from a 10-6 deficit. The winning run was scored by Don Rooksbury on a base hit by Paul Burnett. Flamingo’s scored five runs in the first inning, three coming on a crushing three-run homer by Manny Miyar.

Flamingo’s continued to build on the lead before CJ’s bats finally came alive in the fifth, scoring four runs making it a 7-6 game.

Flamingo’s responded by scoring three in the top of the sixth, leaving the score of 10-6 in favor the Crazy Bird. Dan Standard and Rooksbury each drove in three runs for CJ’s, with Gary Schneider and Chuck Wilson having two RBI. Ray Zielinski stroked three base hits, while Standard and Schneider each walloped triples.

Joe Furst and Jim White laced four hits apiece for Flamingo’s, with teammates Bill Kayhart drilling three hits each, good for two RBI each.