Pigpen's bunt single leads to 4-3 TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth inning at Udall Park today and then scored the game-winner on an unsuccessful force play at the plate to escape with a 4-3 win over Team Blue in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Team Blue, down 3-1 in the top of the sixth, scored two runs to tie the game when newcomer Carl Schwanbeck hit a two-run single up the middle off Team White's right-hander Joe Opocensky.

Then came the final at bat for Team White. Pigpen Price reached on a bunt single off Bob Daliege, moved to second on a single to center by Jesse Ochoa and moved to third on a single to right field by Opocensky.

That brought up Ron Ryan, who already had two hits on the day, but this time Ryan topped a Daliege fastball down third and the throw home bounced in front of the plate and away from catcher Pete Peters, allowing Price to score the game-winner.

"I should have caught the ball," Peters said. If he had made the play, Price would have been out by two feet.

Opocensky and Daliege pitched well, but the pitching victory goes to Opocensky, who allowed nine hits, struck out one and did not walk a batter. Daliege allowed 12 hits, struck out one and walked two.

Tim Tolson went 2 for 3 and drove in three of Team White's four runs, while David Byars went 2 for 4, drove in a run and scored a run for Team Blue.

The TOTS will close out their 53rd season next week with games on Monday and Wednesday. First pitch for both games at 10 a..m.