Two hundred thirty-eight years ago to the day, Captain Samuel Nicholas established the first U.S. Marines battalions in Philadelphia. On that same day, The Villages Division 4 Marines senior softball team celebrated that birthday with a 12-9 win over the Air Force in the Military Games Championship.
The Marines first had to beat the upstart Women Warriors team in the semi-final while the Air Force eliminated the Army team. The Championship Game was tied a five all going into the fourth inning. The Flyboys took a 6-5 lead into the fifth inning with the help of a super defensive play by shortstop Steve Laferver. But in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Red and Orange scored five runs. Al Jasinski and Gerry Carter singled. Greg Auclair and winning pitcher Dave Snell singled and drove in a run each. Jim Lexander singled to load the bases. Frank Porcelli drove in two runs with a single, and Bud Peffley drove in the fifth run and what turned out to be the winning RBI.
The Air Force responded with three runs in the top of the sixth with an RBI from Russ Beasly and two ribbies off the bat of Bruce Carlson.
The Boys of Montezuma added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Marine manager Bob Hrabak rejoiced: “They’re great! They all played great! They made history winning the first Championship for the Marines.”
Sunday’s championship game.
