Aces roll!

60-and-over baseball

Tucson Aces

Right-hander Mike Dawson pitched seven complete innings and allowed just five hits to lead the 60-and-over Tucson Aces to a 11-3 win over the Arizona Ratters today at Udall Park. Dawson had a no-hitter going after three innings of play, gave up a hit in the fourth inning and just three more hits in the seventh as the Aces dominated the 60-and-over team from the south side.

The Aces built a 11-0 lead as they had little trouble with a trio of pitchers from the Rattlers -- including their starter, George Gafner. Back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning by Reed Palmer and John Mathews broke the game wide open as the Aces led 10-0 heading into the sixth inning.

Dawson allowed just one earned run as both runs in the top of the seventh came after three errors by the Aces. The Aces played error-less ball until the seventh inning.

"We played well on defense and we hit the ball well," said manager Bob Daliege, just moments after the game. Mike Steele, Lloyd Barzell, Mathews and Reed contributed two hits apiece during the contest, while Pigpen Price, Bill Mishler, Dennis Crowley, Brad Vermeer, Dawson and Daliege, all hit safely as well.

Price pulled a "hammy" in the fifth inning and 88-year-old Billy Heiny finished the game at second base. "Another hamstring problem," Price said. This one is high up and it's my left leg this time."

Back in January, Price had a hamstring tear in his right leg. Price, who turns 73 on Monday, added: "I'm getting too old for all these hamstring problems. You'd think I'd be in shape by now."

Most of the Aces return to action on Wednesday and Friday with the TOTS as the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers resume their normal weekly schedule. Game time for the TOTS' games: 9 a.m.

Photos: (top) Mike Dawson (bottom) Pigpen Price