Special to the News-Sun
LAKE PLACID - Paul Stephenson is a seventh generation blueberry farmer from South Haven, MI.
Stephenson Farms employs 25 people on 35 acres right on Lake Michigan near Kalamazoo.
The growing season runs from June through September.
The farm also harvests apples, cherries, and peaches.
Paul winters in Florida, and enjoys playing senior softball in both venues.
He can usually be seen wearing a Stephenson Farms hat and T-shirt during practice time.
In Lake Placid, Paul plays for Central Security.
On Monday, Schooni's Restaurant rallied from a seven-run deficit in the last inning to win 24-23 over Central and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Schooni's leading hitters were Richard Rucker (double), Denis Cuillerier (double, HR), Victor Rodriguez (double, HR), John McCallum and Brian Heaphy with four hits each.
For The Securitymen, Bill DeStefano hit for the cycle, while Tom Walsh (triple) and manager Joe Hedges had four hits apiece.
Chet Johnson homered in the losing effort.
Yates Insurance won its third straight with a 24-21 win over Seminole Tire.
Ed Engler paced Yates with five hits, while pitcher Jeff Stanley (three doubles, triple) and rookie Gerry Martin led eight Yates hitters who had four hits each.
For Seminole Tire, the Four Hit Club included Mike Kratt, Norm Grubbs (two doubles), manager Jim Hensley (triple), and Darrel Richards. Skip Raller and Gary Pixley homered.
Howard Carney made an outstanding catch in left field to rob Ron Hanisch of extra bases for the play of the game.
In Wednesday action, Schooni's Restaurant (2-2) knocked Yates Insurance (3-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 22-19 win.
Schooni's was paced by Richard Rucker's five hits and home runs from Denis Cuillerier, winning pitcher Victor Rodriguez and John McCallum.
Frank Hedges added four hits in the victory.
Yates' leading hitter was Jeff Stanley (double, HR) with five, while Ron Hanisch, Cliff Bluml (two doubles), Dave Steigerwalt and Woody Hoffman all chipped in with four hits apiece.
Seminole Tire (2-2) defeated Central Security (1-3) 23-12.
Manager Jim Hensley (double) and Howard Carney (double, triple) led the Tiremen with five hits apiece.
Skip Raller (double) added four, while winning pitcher Harland Newby aided his own cause with three.
For Central Security, Chet Johnson and Tom Walsh had three hits apiece.
Paul Stephenson quipped afterwards that his team's anemic offense would be better "juiced" if they ate a daily supplement of blueberries from his Michigan farm.
Friday, January 18, 2013 - www.newssun.com/FRI-1-18-13-LPSeniors