Drifton – On Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, the two Old Town Softball League representatives took to the wet fields in Drifton to move on in the Class C state championships. The results were quite different for the two teams though.
Jim\’s Sports Center was beaten in 5 innings by the 8-run mercy rule, 13-2. Taking the loss was Mike Moskel. Jim\’s drops down into the losers bracket preliminaries at 3:00 PM Saturday.
Buster\’s, on the other hand, was able to escape with a hard fought 7-5 win over Farmersville. Heading into the top of the 5th inning, Buster\’s was losing 3-1. That\’s when the potent bats came alive. Brian Barr\’s 2-run single tied the score at 3-3. Winning pitcher Bill Kaslovic held Farmersville in check in the bottom of the 5th to hold the game at 3-3 heading to the 6th. Todd Schickling singled and stole second to start the frame. A sacrifice bunt put Shickling on third base where a sac fly by Rich \”Super Stew\” Stewart gave Buster\’s their first lead, 4-3. That was the score as Buster\’s thought they put the game away in the top of the 7th. Andy Squires started off with a walk. Brent \”Bomber\” Thomas then got an infield single. Barr then advanced both runners into scoring position with a sac bunt. Todd Stiner then laced a triple to score Squires and Thomas, then came home on a passed ball to set the score at 7-3. With the game seemingly in hand, Buster\’s went to the bullpen in the form of Jerry Watson, the game one winner from the previous day. Watson was tagged with 2 runs and Farmersville had the bases loaded when Watson was able to finally end the game.
Buster\’s will now face off against Bonnell\’s of Erie at 6:00 PM Saturday night in the quarter-finals. A win would put them in the semi-finals Sunday morning at 9. A loss would put them in the consy quarterfinals immediately after their 6:00 PM game.