Stofft's single to left lifts Team Blue to 5-4 TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Bobby Stofft's bases-loaded single to left field gave Team Blue a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh inning at Udall Park today and right-hander Mike Dawson mowed down Team White 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to earn the win in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game at Udall Park.

The 81-year-old Stofft, hitless in his first four at bats, made his fifth at bat count as he drilled a fastball from Bob Daliege over the head of Team's White's third baseman Doc Thompson for the go-ahead run. Dawson, who pitched seven solid innings, had one scare in the bottom of the seventh when Daliege drilled a shot to deep center field, but centerfielder Bobby Long made an over-the-shoulder catch and Team White went quietly the rest of the way.

Dawson and Daliege were locked in a pitching duel most of the way.  Team Blue led 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Team White tied the game on a RBI-single from Tim Tolson to make it 4-3 and the tying run scored later in the inning on a throwing error, which allowed Pigpen Price to reach first base on a fielder's choice play.

John Mathews went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI for Team Blue, while teammate Pete Peters went 3 for 4, scored twice and drove in a run. Tolson ended up 3 for 4 on the day, while Price knocked in two of Team White's four runs.

The TOTS will take the weekend off and return to Udall on Monday. Game time: 9 a.m.

Photo: The slammin' Bobby Stofft