Paladin finds the going rough at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

60-and-over Cactus division


Paladin from Albuquerque took it on the chin in first day action at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series, dropping a doubleheader by identical scores, 13-6.

The Valcanoes knocked off Paladin in Game 1 at Papago Park and the LV Moondogs did the same in Game 2. The 60-and-over Cactus division is filled with good teams at the senior world series and playing doubleheaders is the norm. Paladin has a twin bill again tomorrow with a game inside Tempe Diablo Stadium at 9:00 a.m. against the LA Athletics and a 12:30 p.m. game outside the stadium on annex field #2 against the DFW Phillies.

John Mathews and Mike Dawson are the two players on the Paladin roster from the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers. Mathews is playing in his second senior world series and Dawson is getting his feet wet for the first time.

Today, Dawson played mostly at the shortstop position and made some stellar defensive plays. He batted just four times in the two games, but went 1 for 4 and knocked in a run. Mathews batted three times and was used mainly in the outfield.

"I put the ball in play every time up, but couldn't get anything going," Mathews said. "They certainly call the outside pitch. You need to be ready."

As for Dawson, he's enjoying his first-ever senior world series. "It's a lot of fun, but I hope we can win two tomorrow and get back on track."

Dawson and Mathews will have six games in the books by the end of play on Thursday with the doubleheader tomorrow and single games the following two days. After that, it's on to the playoffs on Friday if Paladin qualifies.