24-hit attack lifts Team Blue to 12-6 TOTS' win

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team Blue  12   Team White  6

Team White sent three pitchers to the mound this morning at Udall Park in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game, but nothing seemed to cool the jets of Team Blue. Three right-handers -- Mark Rupert, Mike Dawson and Brad Vermeer -- couldn't keep a bunch of old-timers off the base paths as Team Blue banged out 24 hits with 64-year-old Ron Ryan leading the way with a 5 for 5 day -- including an opposite field triple.

With the sun blaring down and already heading for the 100-degree mark, Ryan (photo) scampered around the bases and went in standing up at third in the fourth inning. Ryan ended up scoring four times on the day. 

Catcher Chuck Sabalos, who knocked in four runs, was sizzling at the plate too with four hits in five trips to the plate, while Jimmy Kinion collected four hits and Joe Opocensky scored four times and chipped in three hits -- including two doubles. Pigpen Price went 3 for 5, David Byars had two hits, Frank Garcia added two hits and leadoff hitter Ken Nebesny went 1 for 4.

Six players knocked in runs for Team Blue. Opocensky went the distance for Team Blue and picked up the win.

As for Team White,  they collected 12 hits. Normally a dozen hits will get you a win, but not today.

Thunder Tim Tolson was his normal self as he led Team White with a 3 for 3 day. He scored twice and knocked in a run with a double. Brack Whitaker went 2 for 4 as did Rupert.

The TOTS will be back in action on Friday at Udall. Game time: 8:30 AM (once again, trying to beat the heat).