RBI-single by Byars leads to a 5-3 win in TOTS' game

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Rookie David Byars broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI-single down the left field line and Team Blue went on to beat Team White 5-3 at Udall Park today in 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) game.

Team Blue added an insurance run and held the 5-3 advantage the rest of the way, thanks to the pitching of right-hander Bob Daliege and three key plays down the stretch by his teammates.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Team Blue centerfielder Bob Stofft caught a towering fly ball off the bat of Team White's power hitter Reed Palmer,  Team Blue's third baseman Pigpen Price made a diving catch at third on a line shot off the bat of Doc Thompson and Miguel Urtaza tracked down a high fly ball off the bat of hard-hitting lefty Joe Opocensky.

In the bottom of the seventh, Team White went quietly 1-2-3 and Daliege picked up the win. "My defense made me look good today," Daliege said.

Daliege has a lot to smile about the last 48 hours. Today, he goes the distance on the mound and picks up a nice win. On Saturday, his wife, Nancy,  recorded a hole-in-one on the 144-yard, second hole at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.

"I think she used a 7-iron," the proud husband said. "It's been a great week."

As for Byars, the newest member of the TOTS, he said he was glad to contribute. "It feels good to get a key hit."

Daliege, Byars and the rest of the TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday at Udall. Game time 10 a.m.

Photo: David Byars, who hit an RBI-single to left field today in the sixth inning to put Team Blue ahead for good, en route to a 5-3 win.