published: Saturday, January 26, 2013

Family ties in LP Senior League

Special to the News-Sun

LAKE PLACID - Much has been written about the sibling rivalry between the coaching Harbaugh brothers in the upcoming Super Bowl XLVII.

The NFL Harbaughs have nothing on the Lake Placid senior softball Hensleys.

Over the years, eight members of this Indiana clan have played in the league.

Currently, Ray is the long-standing league president and brother Jim manages the Seminole Tire entry.

Their nephew Mark, aka "Duke," managed Central Security last year but could not play this time around due to family business commitments.

Duke and his sons run Madison County Winery on seven acres near their Anderson, IN home.

They have been in business since 2009 and produce 30 types of wine, about 14 at one time, including chocolate and vanilla.

The growing season doesn't start until April, but wine festivals and other business concerns meant playing this year was not an option for Duke, one of the league's best players.

He hopes to spend some time at the Lake June Ballfield if he can get away from his vinyards.

On Monday, Duke's former team upended Yates Insurance 20-19.

Woody Hoffman's triple put Yates ahead in the top half of the last inning, but the Securitymen rallied and won in the bottom half on Fred Moore's two-out, seeing-eye single.

Tom Walsh had five hits for Central, while Duke's managerial replacement Joe Hedges had four, including two doubles.

For Yates, Hoffman, Larry Oser, Dick Cook (double), and Gerry Martin (double) all had four hits.

Schooni's Restaurant defeated Seminole Tire 19-15.

Schooni's Bill Gallagher, fresh back from a bout with the flu, showed no ill effects by smashing two homers among his five hits.

Rookie of the Year candidate Richard Rucker also hit a four-bagger, while Denis Cuillerier (triple) had four hits and Manager Doran Quigg contributed two doubles.

The Four Hit Club for Seminole Tire included Ross Anderson (two doubles), Mike Kratt (double), and Drew Whittaker.

Howard Carney went deep in the losing effort.

On Wednesday, Schooni's (4-2) won its fourth straight game by squeaking past Central Security (2-4) 23-22.

Bill Gallagher again was the hitting star for the Restauranteurs with a homer and two doubles among his five hits.

Winning pitcher Victor Rodriguez also had five hits with a home run and two doubles.

Hugh Grimaldi chipped in with four hits.

For Central Security, Joe Hedges tried to keep pace with Gallagher with two home runs, one a grand slam.

In the field, Hedges made two outstanding catches in the outfield.

Yates Insurance (4-2) toppled Seminole Tire (2-4) 27-17.

The Five Hit Club for Yates included Ron Hanisch, Paul Brand (double), and winning pitcher Jeff Stanley (two doubles).

Ed Engler (two doubles) had four hits, while Cliff Bluml hit a three-run home run and 94-year old Al Chipps scored two runs to the applause of the crowd.

Six Seminole Tire hitters had three hits apiece and Gary Pixley homered in the losing effort.

For further information on the league, please visit lpsoftball.com.