Aces slam Rattlers

TOTS Senior Baseball Network (TSBN)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Aces are in tuneup mode for the 2013 MSBL World Series, slated for late October in Phoenix.

Today at Udall Park, the Aces came out with guns a blazin' as they roughed up the Arizona Rattlers' starter, George Gafner, for five runs in the first inning and then added single runs in the second, third and fourth en route to a 10-5 win.

The Aces added a couple of insurance runs in the fifth inning as Aces' starter Lloyd Barzell had plenty of runs to work with. Barzell went the distance for the Aces, allowing just two earned runs, while walking four and striking out one.

Ron Petersen (above photo) and Pete Peters led the Aces' hitting attack. Petersen went 2 for 2, walked once and drove in two runs, while Peters knocked in three runs on a sacrifice fly, a bases-loaded walk and a ground out.

Barzell kept the Rattlers off balance as the visitors from the south side had trouble getting the ball out of the infield. Aces first-sacker Tim Tolson, shortstop Dennis Crowley, third-sacker Danny "Pigpen" Price,  Peters, at second base,  and Barzell with a hand full of come-backers, combined for 17 of the 21 outs.

The Aces are edging closer to the MSBL World Series in Phoenix. The Aces have just nine weeks before their first game of the tournament, which is slated for Oct. 28.