1st TOTS' game of 2018 a dandy

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The Tucson Old Timers took a rare day off on New Year's Day, but quickly returned to action at Udall Park this morning for the club's first game of 2018.

And it was a dandy.

Down 6-4 In the bottom of the sixth inning, Team White regained the lead, thanks in part to a three-run opposite field triple from Lloyd Barzell. Barzell's hit hugged the first base line and went all the way to the right field fence, allowing Barzell to reach third with just one out. Team White ended up with five runs in the inning and held a 9-6 lead as the game headed into the top of the seventh inning and the final at bat for Team Blue.

Not to be outdone, Team Blue quickly scored four runs to regain the lead at 10-9. The highlight of the inning was a three-run shot over the right field fence by Reed Palmer -- his first home run of 2018. Palmer hit 21 round trippers in 2017, a new club record. An RBI-single by David Byars supplied the 10th and go-ahead run for Team Blue -- a blast down the third base line off of Barzell.

Team White still had a shot at winning the game in the bottom of the seventh, but two line drive outs to second base -- one by hard-hitting lefty Tim Tolson and the other from another hard-hitting lefty, Joe Opocensky, gave Team Blue a quick two outs. Team White's Phil Gordon grounded back to pitcher Pete Maldonado to end the hard-fought game.

Maldonado picked up the win and Barzell was saddled with the loss.

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