Lakes Division Tourney Champs: Standing (left to right): Bob Molter, Tom Erpelding, Billy Jacobson, Doug Warwick, Gary Hillabolt, Bob Ziedler, Jim Entwistle; kneeling (left to right): Joe Commisto, Bob Montelione, Mgr. Vern Rodgers, Frank Rouse, Mark Sherter, Jeff Jay
Larry Wolfe
After steamrolling the opposition in winning the Winter League pennant, Mgr. Vern Rodgers’ A-1 Golf Carts team also captured the post-season tournament championship, but it wasn’t easy. Here’s a recap of the Lakes Division Tournament.
In the tournament’s opening game Mgr. Kim Van Nausdle’s third-seeded Robson Reserve squad upset Mgr. Gary Hillabolt’s number two-seeded Young Home Team 19-17. The Robson team scored six runs in the final inning to win it. Their well-balanced attack featured five players with three hits each, while Dan Malachuk and Mike Wolfe both went five for five for the Realtors.
Game two was also a nail-biter, with top-seeded A-1 barely getting past Mgr. Dave Kratz’ fourth-seeded First Response Roofing team by a score of 17-16, scoring three times in the final inning to pull out the victory. Dan Malachuck was the hero, hitting a three-run inside-the-park homer to win it. Both Malachuk and Joe Commisto had a total of four hits each, while Dave Martin had four for the Roofers.
On day two of the tourney, the A-1 Golfers had an easier time, beating Robson Reserve 17-7, with Malachuk again leading the way with five hits. In another well-balanced attack, five of his teammates had three safeties each. Tim Loeffler had three hits for Robson, while Terry Zeltinger hit an inside-the-park homer.
In game four, the Young Home Team Realtors stormed back from their game one loss to eliminate the First Response Roofers by a 22-10 score. Don Scoggins led the way with four hits, while Bob Molter went three for three with a walk for the Roofers.
In the penultimate game, the pesky Robson Reserve squad again upset the Young Home Team 24-12. Robson banged out 35 hits, with Barry Lauritano leading the charge with five hits. Charlie Alley and Doug Warwick had four each, while Joe Commisto had four safeties for the Realtors.
In the championship game, Bob Molter knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the A-1 Golfers edged the upstart Robson Reserve team 16-15. Molter had a total of five hits, including three singles, a double, and a triple. Billy Jacobson had four hits and a walk. Mike Wolfe paced Robson with four hits.
The tourney stars were Bob Molter, who went a perfect 13 for 13, and Dan Malachuk, who was 19 for 22.
Congrats to Mgr. Rodgers and his champion A-1 Golfers and to Mgr. Van Nausdle’s Robson team for a well-fought tourney.