KELSEYVILLE — Gifford”s Backhoe earned the right to be called champions Friday night after posting a 10-5 victory over Flagship Marine in the Lake County Softball Association”s Division B-2 men”s title bout. The championship game, which was played at the County Park in Kelseyville, was a stellar show of athleticism on the part of both south county teams.
Gifford”s, led by the pitching of Rick Wilson, who walked only, came out strong by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Flagship”s defense was strong but Gifford”s batters seemed to find a hole up the middle every time. Justin Mincey found it the first time to bring in one run while Shannon Chrisp and Matt Young each had hits to drive in two runs apiece.
Flagship answered back in the bottom of the first with one run. John Ryan led it off with a single to center. Mike Vandiver followed with a double over the third basman that scored Ryan. Wilson then issued his lone walk. Darrin Valentine then hit into a double play and the inning ended on a fly ball hit by Jeremy Jensen.
The second inning saw only four batters apiece from Gifford”s and Flagship. Ryan made a diving snag at shortstop to throw Ed Mattson out at first to start the top of the inning. Bruce Erckenbrack followed with a fly to center for the second out. Ashley Mayhew managed to beat the throw to first to get on base but Mincey hit a fly to left for the third out.
Ray Milano started the bottom half of the inning for Flagship with a line drive down the third-base line for a hit. Shortstop Mayhew then snagged a liner off the bat of Tim Hershwitzsky and Mayhew”s throw to first arrived in time to double up Ray Milano. Dave Milano followed with a single up the middle that went off Wilson”s glove, but Jeff Stith was thrown out at first following a grounder to third.
Gifford”s put another run on the board in the third inning while Flagship posted two. Gifford”s score came on a liner to left by Young, which scored Chrisp. Flagship scored two on a Richey hit to deep right center.
The fourth inning saw little action. The top of the inning ended on a fly ball by Mincey that Ryan had to turn and run from his shortstop position far into left field to catch. Gifford”s quickly sent Flagship back to the field with three quick outs.
Gifford”s gained its remaining four runs in the top of the fifth inning, going through eight batters before the inning ended. With runners on the corners, Wilson stepped to the plate to send one to right field, scoring Chrisp. Young put one over Vandiver”s head in left to score his brother Justin Young, who was camped out on third. Brian Ales grounded one in the infield but the throw to first was bad and two more runs scored on the error.
Gifford”s again put the inning to bed with three quick outs. Flagship returned to the outfield, but not for long. The Flagship defense also enjoyed outs on three consecutive batters.
The bottom of the sixth saw Flagship put its final two runs on the board. Vandiver scored Ryan on double while Darren Valentine scored Vandiver on a single.
Flagship managed to keep Gifford”s from scoring in the top of seventh inning but couldn”t make anything happen for itself at the plate in the bottom half.
Contact Denise Rock-enstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
