San Antonio Broncos edge Tucson Aces 11-7 with four-run 9th inning

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces battled the San Antonio Broncos for nine innings at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series today at the Tempe Diablo Complex, spring training home of the Angels.

The Aces, playing their fourth game this week,  jumped out to a 3-1 lead after four innings of play, but trailed 7-5 in the fifth inning. The Aces tied the game in the bottom of the eighth and then gave up four runs in the top of the ninth and the Broncos went on to win the game, 11-7.

Doc Thompson pitched the first four innings and gave way to reliever Bob Daliege, who allowed four runs in three innings of work. Ernie Hernandez relieved Daliege in the seventh and pitched the rest of the way.

Thompson, who pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, despite having a groin injury, helped his own cause with two hits today. Joe Opocensky kept up his hard hitting for the week with three more hits today -- including a booming triple. Daliege added two hits to the Aces cause and also scored three of the seven runs.

The Aces tied the game 7-7 in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Pigpen Price hit a slow roller to short. One run scored easily and the throw to first got away from the Broncos' first baseman, allowing the tying run to score.

Unfortunately for the Aces, the Broncos were able to plate the four runs in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Lloyd Barzell and Tim Tolson singled to put runners at the corners with two out, but Daliege bounced out to end the hard-fought game.

The Aces take on the Fresno Grizzlies tomorrow morning at Scottsdale Stadium, their final game of the 2016 MSBL World Series.

Photo: Doc Thompson. Doc pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, while starting in four games for the Aces at the MSBL World Series.