Team White rally falls short

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

For five innings Team White could not score a run at Udall Park today.

Team Blue led 7-0 and it looked like their pitcher Pete Maldonado was headed for a shutout, but Team White plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth and came to bat in the bottom of the seventh with a chance to turn things around.

After singles from KJ James, Pigpen Price and a walk to Brian Reilly thing were looking good for just that. John Mathews, who already had three hits on the day, settled in at the plate with the bases loaded and proceeded to drill a shot to Team Blue's third baseman, Joe Opocensky, who stepped on third and then threw home for a force out and a double play.

Still, Team White battled and consecutive hits from Tim Tolson and Danny Boxberger plated three runs. Suddenly the score was 7-6 and the tying run was on third and the winning run was on first base.

That brought up Dave Byars, who had hit the ball hard all day. A single would do it and a double would more than likely win the game. Byars hit the first pitch off Maldonado high above home plate. The Team Blue catcher, Roger Beebe, circled under the ball. The ball bounced off Beebe's mitt and came to rest just inches in front of the plate. Beebe tagged Byars before he could get untracked and the game was over.

The game ended with a strange play. Instead of a more dramatic walk-off hit, the game ends on a pop up as the ball spins and comes to a stop just inches into fair territory.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 10 a.m.

Photo: Roger Beebe tags out the runner at the plate for the final out today in a 7-6 win for Team Blue.