SUN CITY – Sun City Softball reached the end of the season and dove into the week of playoffs.
On August 19 in its bid for the playoffs, the #4 ranked Nationals beat the #1 Ranked Lumbarjacks with a stunning score of 12-2.
A rainout on both days, August 20 and August 21, caused the second championship series playoff game to be rescheduled to August 22. That Thursday night, witnessed by the standing room only crowds, the number 2 ranked Capitals took the game from #3 Ranked Coyotes 12-7.
Pat Klatt, assistant manager of the Coyotes said, “Great game last night. Looking forward to the inaugural Sun City World Series!”
The newly formed and entertaining pom-pom squad, the Sun City Spirits, performed pre-game on the first game of the finals on August 23. The fans got their money’s worth with an 11-inning game. The Capitals endured the extended innings game and won the 1st game in the Final World Series games. The ending score Capitals 9 Nationals 8.
On August 24, The Nationals took the charge of that playoff game and extended the series with the Score Nationals 9 and Capitals 4.
A rainout on Monday, August 26 pushed the final game of the Sun City World Series to Tuesday, August 27. Umpiring all the World Series games, Glenn Groebli and John Roccosanto took their places to rule on the game that would determine the victor. Taking on the responsibility of keeping the crowds informed, was Gary Krewer, announcing the play-by-play and keeping the Score Board updated was John James.
The first inning started with Nationals at-bat. Dion Zinnel hit to get on base and tried to extend the hit to second base, where he was called out. Steve Kutska hit a strong ball right into the mitt of the pitcher Rick Sebastian. Bob Ross received a gift and got a walk onto 1st base. Dave Sanders ended the inning with a hit right into the mitt to the third baseman.
Pitching for the Nationals Tom Bischoffer, gave the first batter up, Rick Sebastian, a base hit. Les Meurit hit next and an error put him on base and Bischoffer advances.
Krewer announced, “Dan Quirk number 14 is up next. This will be Dan’s last game in Sun City.”
Quirk hit a fly ball that is caught but brings in Sebastian, giving the Capital’s the first score on the board. The Capitals got two more runs in, ending the first inning with the score Capitals 3 and Nationals 0.
The games progressed, and in the third inning, Sebastian got out of the inning with 3 Nationals up and 3 down. The Capitals fared better in the bottom half of the inning, 9 men taking the bat and scoring 4 more runs ending the inning leading 7-0.
Nationals batted in the 4th inning brought in 3 runs, threatening the lead the Capitals held. An additional run in the 5th inning closed the gap a little more with the score Capital 7, Nationals 4.
Both teams managed to get more runs to bring the score to Capitals 9 and Nationals 5 at the top of the ninth as Klatt said, “Last chance for romance.”
The Nationals had four at-bats, with #22 Dion Zinnel getting on base with a drop ball hit, but the hope ended with an out on the next play hit by Steve Kutska.
The Capitals win the series for the second time.
Chuck Hund, manager of the Capitals said, “A great team win for the Capitals after losing several key players to injury at the end of the season. This really shows our character. Back to back titles is very hard to accomplish. I also think this three game World Series was a ‘hit,’”
Congratulations to all the Capital players: Rick Sebastian #3, Les Meuret. #7, Dan Quirk #14, Chuck Hund #1, Scott Phillips #13, Phil Haugens #10, Joe Nowak #5, Frank Paliermo #6, Bert Walker #2, Bob Oleson #8, Sam Cory #15, Sharon Fallon #4, Norm Richter #16, Tony Ryan #11, Dennis Finnell #9, and Leo Brandenburger #12.
Dave Sanders, manager of the Nationals said, “We had a great season, just came up a little short in championship series. We were the 5th seed and beat the 4th and 1st seeds. Capitals played great and deserved to repeat as the champions.”
There is always next year. The team celebrated with the Capitals too. We all met at the American Legion afterward. It is just fun to be playing softball.”
Congratulations to the National Players: Dion Zinnell #22, Steve Kutska #15, Bob Ross #17, David Sanders #2, Jeff Williams #21, Derek Willie #5, Carlos Ramos #7, Tommy Bischoffer #9, Jeff Roche #10, Sally Papak #6, Ron Helfers #12, Jim Rice #8 and Keith Klintworth #1 who extended the series to the last game.
The dust settled the streets cleared and the season was officially over.
