Sun Division Champs: Kneeling (left to right): Kelly Anderson, Phil Gutterman, Mgr. Mike Gloyd, Mickey Gregg, Brian Denham; standing (left to right): Dave Swann, Bob Wicks, John Doran, Bill Matson, Dan Melosi, Jon Hendrikse, Mark Kuechler
Larry Wolfe
The Spooner Physical Therapy-sponsored team, managed by Mike Gloyd, averaged an incredible 21 runs per game in securing the Sun Division Tournament title. Here’s a rundown of all the games:
In the opener, the third-seeded Therapists outlasted Mgr. Jon Hendrikse’s Wolfe & Associates squad 22-17. Mickey Gregg and Dan Melosi led the way for the winners with five hits each, while Chris Reese homered. Billy Kee had four hits for the Wolves, while Mike Lebet, Don Long, and Frank Scarpelli “went yard” in the losing cause.
In game two, the number four-seeded Camp Hilby team, managed by Marty Hobby, surprised the top-seeded Redeemed Team, managed by Ron Carmichael, by a 24-15 score. Richard Lemoree led the Campers’ attack with five hits, while Mgr. Hobby, Jack Martin, and George Siegele added four each, with George homering. Bobby Reed paced the Redeemers with four hits, while Barron Liebert homered.
On day two of the tournament, the Therapists lost a tiebreaker to Camp Hilby. After trailing 22-15 entering the bottom frame, the Therapists scored seven runs to tie the score, but per tournament rules, a tie game goes to the visiting team, so the Campers were declared winners. Ernie Flores led the Campers with five hits, while five teammates homered (George Siegele [2], Tom Casady, Marty Hobby, Jack Martin, and Alex Santucci). Mickey Gregg and Dan Melosi had four hits each for the Therapists, with Melosi and John Doran clearing the fences.
The Redeemed Team eliminated the Wolves in game four by a razor-thin 17-16 score. Dennis Henderson and Chris Reed had four hits each for the Redeemers, with Henderson, Reese, and Mike Aldridge hitting long balls. Dave Platt led the Wolfe Pack with four hits, while Mike Lebet homered twice and Don Long and Frank Scarpelli added one each.
The Redeemers’ bats went cold in the semi-final game, as they lost to the upstart Therapists 20-8. Dan Melosi was the hitting star for the winners, going four-for-four with a walk and homer. Mike Aldridge homered for the Redeemers, who packed up their gear and headed home.
In the championship contest, Spooner jumped out to an early 8-3 lead and coasted to a fairly easy 20-12 win. Brian Denham, Jon Hendrikse, Mark Kuechler, and Dan Melosi each had four hits, with the latter three homering. Marty Hobby, Richard Lemoree, and George Siegele paced the losing squad with three hits each, including one homerun each.
Dandy Dan Melosi was the MVP of the tournament, going an unbelievable 19-for-20 for a .950 average. He also homered three times. George Siegele led all players with four homers, while Dave Platt, Bobby Reed, and Richard Lemoree all hit .800 or better.
Kudos to Mgr. Mike Gloyd and the entire Spooner PT team for a super tournament.