Competitive game ends up in a tie

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Joe Opocensky and Dennis Crowley were locked in a pitching duel for seven innings, but in the end no winner emerged or a loser for that matter. Instead, it was a well-played competitive game at Udall Park this morning in a 60-and-over baseball game as both Team Blue and Team White played to a 6-6 tie.

Team Blue had a great hitting lineup with two young studs in the middle of their order -- 62-year-old Reed Palmer and 62-year-old John Mathews, unleashing their powerful swings. Palmer hit his 18th home run of the season in the first inning and Mathews added a couple of timely hits and was a thorn in the side of Opocensky for most of the game.

Still, Team White found a way to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a two-run inning as Tim Tolson opened the frame with a double to center off Crowley, while Mike Steele and Ted Davis followed with back-to-back singles, allowing Team White to enjoy a short-lived 6-4 lead.

Opocensky and Team White needed to set down Team Blue in the top of the seventh. But things didn't go as planned and with one out and a run in Team White tried to turn a double play to end the game. They got the first out at second, but the relay to first bounced in front of the first baseman Bill Mishler and the tying run scored from third.

In the bottom of the seventh, Team White had the winning run on third base with two out. Davis was at the plate and hit a fastball from Opocensky to right field. The ball was hit too hard and Team Blue's right fielder Steve Beebe grabbed the sizzling one-hopper and was able to nip Davis at first base to end the game.

The game marked the return of two injured TOTS -- Mishler, who is still nursing a rib injury, and Pigpen Price, who returned to action after a five-week bout with bone spur issues in his right foot. Mishler had two hits and was on base three times, while Price went 1 for 4.

"It's nice to be back," Price said, after the game. "I walked off the field without a limp. That's a good thing."

The top plays of the game included Beebe’s play to end the game and a nice running catch in the third inning by Team White's rookie left fielder Mike Griffo. The oldest player on the field today was Team Blue's second baseman Bill Heiny who turned 89 earlier in the week and the youngest player 60-year-old Ron Ryan, who caught for Team White.

The TOTS return to action at Udall on Friday. Game time: 9 a.m.