Special to the News-Sun
SEBRING - The weather was ideal again for the Sebring Seventy and Over Softball League at the Highlands County Sports Complex Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
On Tuesday the Silent Salesman and Highlands Independent Bank played an exciting game with both teams hitting well.
The Salesman dominated in the run department for five innings with an 11-6 lead.
The Bank boys proved they were not done yet and tied the score 12-12 at the end of seven innings.
The Bank's rally in the 8th inning was cut short by a slick, inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the 8th inning the Salesman loaded the bases with walks.
Having a good day at the plate for the Salesman were Victor Rodriquez going 3-for-4, including a triple.
Fred Moore, Norm Grubbs and Bill Todd each had a double in their 3-for-4 day.
Larry Ambuel and Fred Moore connected for three hits each. Bob Iott had 2-for-3 and scored two runs.
Don Day had a long triple to go with his game winning final hit to seal the 13-12 win.
Highlands Independent Bank's hits were all singles.
Giving it what seemed to be their best efforts, Jim Quartier went 4-for-4 and Harry Bell was 4-for-5.
Jose Torres came out having 3-for-5 and Ray Concepcion batted 2-for-3.
Royal Palms Bowling Center squeaked by Andrews Allstate Insurance with a 15-14 win.
Palms' Doug Hanover had a two-base hit with the bases loaded.
Charlie Quinn went 3-for-4 and Gene Hanford had a double and triple for his 2-4 times at bat.
The Palms scored one more run in the 8th inning to win the game.
Jim Longman made two outstanding catches to aid his teammates.
Andrews Allstate Insurance had a good game, also.
Galo Gonzalez had three triples and one single in his 4-for-5 times up.
Jerry Kuffman went 3-for-4 with a double and triple.
Mel Gross was 3-for-4 including a double and Tom Ashley and John Pena each had 3-for-4.
VFW4300 toppled Buttonwood Bay with an 18-0 shutout.
Their Cal Bready had four hits.
Also, having four hits were Bob Fulcher and Bob Roth, who also had a double.
Ron Lewis and Dennis Burkholtz each had three hits.
For Buttonwood, the game was close and exciting until their opponents broke it open in the 7th and 8th innings.
The closest scoring game on Thursday was between the undefeated Royal Palms Bowling Center and Highlands Independent Bank with Royal Palms finishing in the lead.
The Palms' Kyle Saunders and Andy Timmemanis each had 3-for-4, including a double, and Mo Pier had 3-for-4.
Charlie Quinn was the winning pitcher.
Highlands Bank again had one home run off the bat of Don Cunningham who also had 3-for-4 to his credit.
Gene Phillips was 2-for-4 with a triple, Jose Torres went 4-for-4 and Harold Baucom had 3-for-3.
Going 3-for-4 was Woody Woodward.
Andrews Allstate Insurance was credited with a win over the Buttonwood Bay Rebels with a final 14-7 victory.
Galo Gonzalez hit a double in his 3-for-3 times at bat. Mel Gross was 4-for-4.
Four batters having 3-for-3 were Marvin Knutilla, Jerry Kuffman, John Pena and Rudy Pribble.
Dick Ostrick rounded out the game with 3-for-4.
The Buttonwood Bay Rebels came up on the short end of a 14-7 finish against the Andrews Allstate Insurance Team.
Several of the Rebels had a hot bat as Jim Monroe and Tom "Moose" Morrissette were 3-for-4 at the plate.
A quartet having 2-for-3 were John Degnen, John Jeffery, Nelson Richardson and Rich Vancuren.
The combination of Jack Grasso, Tom Morrissette and Jim Monroe turned three double plays.
The Silent Salesman played the first place undefeated VFW 4300 team, hoping to end their winning streak.
That didn't happen as the VFW players had other plans.
They dominated the game from the start to breeze to an easy victory of 19-8.
VFW's Bob Fulcher went 4-for-4, including a two-base hit.
Cliff Skearns had a double in his two hits and Cal Bready had two doubles in going 3-for-3.
Bob Roth and Doran Quigg each had three hits.
The Salesman hit the ball well, but a couple VFW double plays cut short potential rallies.
Don Day led the Salesman with a double and three singles.
Victor Rodriquez had 4-for-4, scoring each time.
Fred Moore kept up his hot hitting with a 4-for-4 game.
The games are played each Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m., bleachers are furnished.
The location of the Complex is behind the Train Depot in Sebring.
Sunday, January 20, 2013 - www.newssun.com/SUN-1-20-13-Sebring70s