Tournament winners, front: Steve Hilby, Jeff Jay, Mgr. Gary Hatch, Gary Stewart and Gregg Peterson; back: Tom Vitolo, Dom Colonna, John Whitman, Bill Kreisman, “Hoot” Gibson, Tom Erpelding and Evan Hansen. (Photo by Core Photography, LLC).
Larry Wolfe
At the conclusion of our winter league, a seeded seven-team three-day double-elimination tournament was held; 12 games were played over the three-day span before the Farmers Insurance team, sponsored by the Frank Margiotta Agency and managed by Gary Hatch, won their well-earned title. Brief game summaries follow:
In game one, Farmers scored four runs in the final inning to edge A-1 Golf Carts 14-12. John Whitman led the victors with four hits, including two triples. Manager Hatch added three. Reyes Gonzalez had three hits for A-1.
In game two, the Mutual of Omaha Bankers toppled Wolfe & Associates 16-3. Tom Lorgan and Sam Giordano each had three safeties for the winners. They had ample support as six teammates had two hits each. Chuck Schaan paced the losing squad with three hits while Doug Friesen and Larry Wolfe each added two.
The third contest featured number one seeded State Farm Insurance versus the upstart Farmers team. The Farmers surprised the Insurers by coming from behind to post a 14-11 victory. Dennis Colbert, Jeff Jay and Tommy Vitolo each had three hits for the victors while Tim Baldwin went 4 for 4 for State Farm.
In game four, Brenden Financial Planning came back to edge Terry and Susan Young’s West USA Realty team 17-16. Frank Tanner garnered four hits to pace the Planners. Manager TJ Tjernlund and Dave Martin had four hits for the losers.
The Realtors opened the second day of play with a 20-10 win over Wolfe & Associates. John Whitman and Billy Kee led the Realtors with four hits each while Bill Cheney and Chuck Schaan paced the Wolfe Pack with three each.
Brenden’s Planners beat the Bankers 18-14 in the next contest with Manager Ken Brenden, Dennis Kennedy and Stevie Kay banging out three hits each. Sammy Giordano went four for four for Mutual.
Young’s Realtors then ousted number one seed State Farm 12-11 in spite of Tim Baldwin’s four hits. John Whitman led the winners with four hits.
Mutual’s Bankers ended day two by eliminating A-1 13-4. Gary Hatch had four hits for the winners while the Golfers were held to six total hits.
Day three started with four teams remaining. The Realtors bested the Bankers 21-15 with TJ Tjernlund going five for five. He was supported by Dave Martin with four hits. Manager John Seigla led his team with four base knocks.
The Farmers then edged Brenden’s Planners 12-11. Steve Hilby and Gregg Petersen led the way with three hits each. Tom Kasunic paced the Planners with four.
The Farmers came right back to wipe out the Realtors 17-5 with Gary Stewart going four for four with four runs scored. John Whitman had three hits for the Realtors.
Playing their third straight game of the day proved to be no contest for the Farmers as they thrashed Brenden’s Planners 15-6 in the Championship Game. Gregg Petersen, Gary Stewart and Hoot Gibson led the champs to victory while Billy Kee bashed out three hits for the Planners.
Congratulations to Manager Hatch and his entire team!