Historic homer; title won with comebacks
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
With all the home runs flying out of “the hole” it is hard to believe that there could be a history making one among the many. That’s because a woman had never hit one over the fence there. It happened Sunday afternoon in the women’s final between defending champ Glaza Farms and BMV Linedrive. Christan Dowling got an outside pitch and muscled it over the right field fence. It wasn?t just over either. The ball landed on the other side of the alley for a three-run shot. Dowling scored the game-winning run in the 6-2-championship game. “It was a great pitch and the wind was blowing out,” said Dowling. “It didn’t need the wind.” Spectators booed the Glaza pitcher as Dowling was intentionally walked her next two plate appearances.
Dowling, who had been trying to hit one out, was the obvious selection as MVP. According to tournament organizer Karl Grambau all 11 women?s teams are expected back next year, as some were in Lewiston for another tournament. Grambau commended Gary Bisson, as well as players from Bruder Farms and McLean Pharmacy for their assistance with the field during the weekend and making the tournament run so smoothly.
*** *** *** Moabhunting.com earned their Nautical City Festival men?s tournament championship this past weekend playing comeback softball. Facing elimination in the se
In the finals, Moab took on undefeated Loggers, a collection of former tournament winners and local players, and knocked them off in back-to-back games, 29-14 and 27-12. Three local players included Dave Quaine, Eric Brege and Tom Catalano. The Moab squad received much of the attention during the weekend tournament as Boston Bruin goalie Tim Thomas, who was nicknamed Opee in the scorebook, played shortstop. His grandfather lives in Millersburg.
?I love playing softball,? said Thomas after the game. ?I played a lot when I was younger, before I got in the NHL (National Hockey League).? He was 4-for-6 in the title game, including a home run. Volunteers stepped up to sweep water from the massive puddles that had built up on the infield.