TOTS combine for 41 hits in a windy day at Udall

 Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers had the wind at their backs when they stepped to the plate this morning at Udall Park. The result: 41 hits, including nine doubles.

Team Blue picked up the 19-7 win over Team White as right-hander Pete Maldonado outlasted Team White's starter Joe Opocensky. With the wind pounding toward left-center, most of the doubles rolled to the fence, while a few balls found the gap in right center field as well.

Team Blue collected 25 of the 41 hits with Pete Peters, Bobby Long, Mike Dawson and David Byars improving on their April batting averages as all four players went 4 for 5. Byars and Brad Vermeer combined for eight RBI. All nine players in Team White's lineup hit safely. Jesse Ochoa collected three hits, Dick Ducklow and Vermeer added to the onslaught with two hits apiece while Bill Mishler and Maldonado added a hit apiece.

Team White collected 16 hits and all nine players in their starting lineup hit safely as well. John Mathews led the way with a 3 for 4 day. while Brack Whitaker, Pigpen Price, Rick Bitzer, Mike Steele and Opocensky collected two hits apiece. Bob Daliege, Danny Boxberger and Ted Davis also singled. Boxberger and Daliege knocked in four of the seven runs.

It's been a windy March and April. Next month, the TOTS have 12 games scheduled and chances are the winds will subside and the players will be praying for a breeze as the mid-90s and the first days of 100-plus in 2021 will pay a visit.

Way to swing the bats, TOTS!