Aces slip by Old Pueblo Club

TOTS Senior Baseball Network


60-and-over baseball


The 60-and-over Aces came from behind with a four-run fifth inning and went on to beat the Old Pueblo Club, 8-5, at Tucson Udall Park today. Down 4-3, the Aces used four consecutive singles by Chico "Rubber Arm" Bigham, Arnie "Cowboy" White, Dick "Big D" Ducklow and Bob "The Kayak Kid" Daliege to take a 7-4 lead into the sixth inning.

The Aces added a run in the sixth as Dennis "Wheels" Crowley (above photo) singled for the fourth time in the game and scored from third later in the inning on a fielder's choice play. Crowley reached base four times and scored four runs.

Old Pueblo took the lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a bases-clearing triple by shortstop Enphulmi Vidal and maintained a 4-3 lead until the Aces' uprising in the fifth. The Aces played their best defensive game of year and starting pitcher Lloyd "Baby Bull" Barzell went the distance to notch his first win for the Aces.

Pete "Lefty" Cerenzia, Danny "Pigpen" Price and "Pistol" Pete Peters had two hits apiece as the Aces make it two in a row over the south-side 60-and-over teams. The Aces knocked off the Arizona Rattlers 10-6 two weeks ago. Outstanding plays were turned in by right fielder Jim "Scrap Iron" Sears, Pigpen Price and Ducklow. Sears threw out a runner at first base, Ducklow made an over the shoulder catch at third base and Price made a diving catch on a pop fly.

The Aces manager Jerry Hamelin (below photo) was a happy camper following the win today. "We are playing well of late," Hamelin said. "That's six wins in our last seven games.We're getting the hits and playing well defensively."

Hamelin, 72, recently took over the Aces' managing duties as long-time manager Floyd Lance, 87, stepped down as the field general of the club. Lance is still active with the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) and is the oldest active player in that organization.

The Aces will return to action in two weeks and will travel across town to take on the Arizona Rattlers.