CLEARFIELD — Bob Marsh drove in five runs with a pair of home runs and Ken Erskine added a two-run homer as Legends Sports Bar & Grill of Clearfield ended the Meatheads\’ three-year reign as champions of the Past Your Prime 40-and-Over Modified Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament with a 15-8 victory in the title game at Bucky Strunk Memorial Field Sunday.
Sweeping through the nine-team tourney in four games, Legends became only the fourth titlist in the 12-year history of the much-anticipated event which has produced thousands of dollars for area youth activities. This year\’s proceeds will go to the annual \”Toys for Tots\” campaign sponsored by the Clearfield-based Sgt. William L. Dixon Detachment of the Marine Corps League. A final total will be announced in the near future.
Potter\’s Bricklayers of Philipsburg dominated the early years and own six championships. Clearfield teams claim the other six, the Meatheads with four and Buster\’s Sports Bar and now Legends with one each.
Legends wasn\’t about to allow the Meatheads to repeat last year\’s feat of coming through the loser\’s bracket to win the traveling trophy, though having to come from behind twice in the early innings. Tom Danver\’s solo homer helped the Meatheads jump in front 3-0 in the top of the first, but Legends quickly tied the score on Erskine\’s RBI-triple and Marsh\’s 2-run home run that hit the top of the fence in left and bounced over. Erskine\’s home run snapped a 5-5 tie in the third, and the rout was on as Legends tallied three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and three in the sixth to give Randy Sones his second win of the tourney.
Marsh led the champs with fourth hits, while Scott Dunlap added three, one a double, and drove in two runs. Lyle Domico, the oldest player in the tourney at 68, also had a pair of RBIs.
Earlier in the winner\’s bracket final , Marsh\’s RBI-single capped a four-run rally in the sixth inning that lifted Legends to a 6-5 victory over Slabtown. Manager Jay Siegel\’s clutch two-run single had tied it. Lucky Prestash notched his second win. Jim Miller cranked a two-run homer for the losers.
The Meatheads won three games Sunday morning and afternoon just to earn a second crack at Legends, blanking Emporium 10-0 in six innings, stunning Potter\’s 8-7 with a miraculous seven-run outburst in the top of the seventh inning and outlasting Slabtown 14-11.
Tim Danver chased home five runs with two singles, a double and a sacrifice fly and brother Doug Danver drove in four with a single and a double to back Mark Bodle\’s shutout pitching against Emporium. Two-run singles by Doug Danver, Duane Pataky and Tom Danver highlighted the zany rally against Potter\’s, with the winning run scoring on a miscue. Bill \”Duck\” Harris had three RBIs for the losers. Against Slabtown, Tim Danver belted a two-run homer, a double and a single, Tom Danver had three hits and Ray Billotte had two RBIs. Slabtown didn\’t bow out gracefully, giving the Meatheads a scare by erupting for nine runs and bringing the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning. John Harpster\’s leadoff homer, Tom Harris\’ two-run double and Ray Joe Millward\’s two-single were the big blows. Chuck Moore had a two-run single in the fifth.
Bodle was the winningest pitcher in the tourney with a 4-2 record. Tim McCamley was 3-2 for Slabtown.
In other action, the Houtzdale Hunkies, sponsored by Your Neighborhood Market, broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning on Dave Gallo\’s second RBI of the game and got a two-run single from Lance McDowell in the seventh to eliminate Buster\’s 7-2 behind Jim Greslick\’s strong pitching. That game had been suspended because of rain Saturday.
Potter\’s then ousted Houtzdale 10-0 behind Harmon Hartshorne\’s four-hit pitching over five innings. Harris had three RBIs and Rich Harlow two.
The tourney committee was very appreciative of the many fans who turned out, especially those who participated in the various fund-raising activities. Prizewinners will be named later this week.