Twelve runs in one inning was almost not enough.
Twelve runs in one inning was almost not enough.
The Phillies’ efforts in the Hollister Recreation Division 3 softball playoffs were almost wasted as Mountain Mike’s scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take a one-run lead.
But the Phillies scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to win 16-15 and advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the game between McDonald’s and San Juan Oaks on June 14.
The winner of that game plays in the championship game against Rancho Val Verde, who won by forfeit Monday, immediately after.
Kurt Raitz gave up an uncharacteristically high amount of walks but still managed to pick up the win for the Phillies.
He even had to be relieved for a couple batters, but the relief pitcher also had trouble finding the strike zone in the stiff wind.
The Phillies looked like they would break the game open after Sergio Sanchez and Sal Archdeacon both reached on balls not hit out of the infield in the first inning and Randy Evanger and Paul Foster knocked in runs.
The Phillies brought in another run, but an illegal bat that was recently banned was used, and an out was recorded. Mountain Mike’s got the final out to end the inning and spoil the rally.
For the next three innings, Mountain Mike’s continued to find holes in the outfield and built up an 8-2 lead. Joey Kistler and Jeff Palmero were both 3-for-4 for Mountain Mike’s.
Despite playing with just nine players, Mountain Mike’s continued to frustrate the Phillie hitters.
In the third inning after two runs had scored, cutoff man Randy Olds took away a Mountain Mike’s home run with a nice throw home.
The Phillies got back in the game with a 12-run inning in the fifth inning to go up 14-8.
Evanger, who was 4-for-4, launched a three-run home run. Archdeacon and Olds had two RBIs each during the inning.
In the sixth inning, Mountain Mike’s countered with three runs on a couple bases-loaded walks and then went ahead 15-14 in the seventh with four more runs.
But the Phillies didn’t let that faze them. Evanger hustled and beat a ball hit in the infield and then scored from first, hustling the whole way on a hit by Foster to tie the game.
Ed Feldman brought in the winning run with a solid single.
