Winter Haven - Lakeland Competition
2009





March 4th at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven

The first three games of the fifth annual Winter Haven-Lakleand Competition took place in Winter Haven. After four years of play, Lakeland leads the competition 13-11. Lakeland rose to the challenge to win 2 of 3 games and increase their overall lead to 15-12. Winter Haven must sweep the series next week in Lakeland to bring the competition to a 15-15 tie.
This year, the age groups were divided. One 68+ team and two younger teams competed for each softball program.
The Lakeland team managed by Russ Winner defeated the Don Witmer Winter Haven team by a score of 18-9.
Lakeland jumped out early and often and lead 12-3 after three innings of play were in the books. The Winter Haven team just couldn't mount a rally to amount to anything but did manage to score three runs in the sixth. Don Keller began the frame with a solo inside-the-park homer and Joe D'Herin followed with a double down the leftfield line. Don Bercaw reached base on a miscue, scoring the runner for Joe. A single by Dean Schapeler drove home the third and final run.
For the Winter Haven team, Don Keller went 3 for 4 with 1 homer.
For the Lakeland team, Bob DiPietro went 1 for 3 with 1 double & 1 walk and George Radlein went 4 for 5.

The Winter Haven team managed by Bob Zelazny beat the Lakeland team that was managed by Russ King. The final score was 18-17.
With the exception of the first inning, the Winter Haven team never had the lead until the end of the game. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Lakeland team was leading 17-13. Ed Gazarek, who scored four runs in the game, began the final Winter Haven frame with a single, Al Andrews walked, and the third batter reached on a mishandled ball. A fielder's choice erased the runner at second for the first out. Afterwards, Brent Alumbaugh singled, Bob Zelazny doubled, and Ted Taylor coaxed a walk. A bases loaded single by Larry Powell drove in the tying and winning run.
For the Winter Haven team, Ted Taylor went 2 for 2 with 3 walks and Ed Gazarek went 4 for 5 with 1 double.
For the Lakeland team, Russ King went 3 for 4, Dick Mahon went 4 for 5, and Bill McEllister went 1 for 5.

The elderly Lakeland team piloted by Hank Hamilton defeated the Ron Augenstein Winter Haven team 28-21.
The HUGE inning for Winter Haven came in the seventh. Almost every player in the batting order had a base hit. Ron Augenstein, Harvey Rennie, Floyd Welton, Ron Thompson, and Sam Harrell each banged out singles before Doug McLellan drew a free pass. The barrage of singles began again with Frank Miller, Bill Ayer, and Ed Kline. The massive inning ended with a double play ground ball. Nine runs crossed the plate but the Winter Haven team was still down 22-16 after the dust had settled.
For the Winter Haven team, Sam Harrell went 4 for 5 with 1 double, Ed Kline went 4 for 5, Frank Miller went 4 for 5, Ron Thompson went 3 for 4 with 1 triple & 1 walk, and Doug Chamlee went 3 for 4.
For the Lakeland team, Jose Agosto went 3 for 5.

The volunteer umpires for the games included Chuck Duff, Ted Granoski, Earl Hawthorne, and Jim Margolin.



Winter Haven managers Ron Augenstein, Don Witmer, and Bob Zelazny.



Lakeland manager Russ King.








March 11th at the Southwest Complex in Lakeland

Since no score sheets were made available for a guide to recap the games, only the results can be reported. The Winter Haven squads piloted by Ron Augenstein and Bob Zelazny were winners in their respective games and the Don Witme team lost their game in the bottom of the 10th inning due to a bases loaded walk.
The Russ King Lakeland team won their game.


Event Pictures

Jim Garrison , Bernie Stearns ,& Al Andrews	Bill McEllister & Hal Ridley
Elvis Abney & Mike Stepp	Phil Velez , Frank Acevedo ,& Regis Finnegan
Jose Agosto & Larry Frink	Larry Sweet , Frank Miller , Ted Granoski , Larry Powell , Sam Lopez ,& Gale Doty
Angel "Marty" Martinez	WHSSC members include Ed Gazarek , Ron Thompson , Chuck Duff ,& Dean Schapeler
Bill Ayer	Sam Harrell , Russ King ,& Doug McLellan
Jose Agosto	Don Witmer team picture