62 Division see Reds inaugural Game
It was perfect baseball weather Tuesday at New Scotland Park as Reds hosted the Pirates in the 62+ match-up. The Reds are the newest expansion team in the division. The was electricity in the air as two wiley CDSMBL pitchers were making their divisional debut. Jeff Friedman for the Pirates and Jonny Martin for the Reds.
Martin quickly induced two ground ball outs for the home team. But the Pirates got things going and loaded the bases with an error and singles by Ray Meandro and Jerry Foti. Martin then buckled down with a punchout to quell the rally.
This Reds took that momentum and came out hot in the bottom of the first. Paul Miles led off with a single, Jim Jazz reached on an error, Jack Griffin took one for the team. Pillows covered all around. Friedman facing the clean-up hitter then got a big K for the 1st out. Paul Peters then stroked a single to plate 2 speedy runners. Ken Shaw then followed with an RBI single to score Griffin and Martin singled to drive in Peters. A nice catch by Joe Kosek in left, followed by a fielders choice ended the inning with Reds taking a 4-0 lead.
Martin was able to get two quick outs again to start the inning. But the Pirates were determined to make some noise. Chuck Stanley started things going with a single which was followed by 2 free passes and suddenly the Pirates were quickly threatening with all bases loaded again. Martin then induced a grounder to third to end the threat.
In the bottom half of the frame Friedman came out and quieted the Reds bats with back to back Ks. With 2 outs Ed Draves battled and worked a free pass. Miles then came up and ripped a double scoring Draves. Jazz then reached 1st and Miles scored to extend the lead to 6-0.
Rick Knipper toed the slab for the Reds in the third, facing the top of the order. Vinny Koster drew a free pass and stole 2nd. Knip then got a K and a 6-3 to get the 2nd looking like he was out of the jam. But the clean-up hitter, Nick Kanellis lined one to left down the line to score Koster and put the Pirates on the board with one.
Friedman then got to work and shut down the Reds and at the end of 3 had put a little dent in the Reds lead and at the end of three it was Pirates 1 Reds 6
The Pirates leadoff batter in the fourth Mark Meyers singled to start the inning. Brad Maione then work the walk and the Pirates were in business again. Cos Dibari then laid down the sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Stanley then followed with his second single and continued to do damage plating the leadoff batter Meyers. A hit to short and the Reds were able to turn two and avert any further damage by the Pirates. But the Pirates were chipping away at the Reds lead.
Koster came in in the 4th for the Pirates. Knipper led off the inning with a single and stole 2nd. Chris Abrams showed no rust in his return to the CDSMBL with an RBI single to score Knipper. With two on and two outs Koster was able to get the punch out to end the inning. Reds were able to get the run back and after four it was Pirates 2 Reds 7
Bill Reagan led off the fifth for the Pirates and hit a screamer in left center that had base hit written all over it but the speedy Jim Jazz was able to steal the hit away. With two outs Koster was able to work the free pass again. Friedman then hit a liner to left down the line and the Pirates scored a run for the 3rd inning in a row to inch closer and fight their way back into the game.
The amazing Jim Dalton came in to pitch in the fifth with his tantalizing, mesmerizing, & hypnotizing eephus pitch. It had the hitters off balance. But the Reds were able to scrape out a couple seeing eye singles and a walk around two flyouts but the old crafty Dalton was able to get the big K to end a second consecutive inning with a K. Pirates 3 Reds 7
Ralph Caputo came on to pitch in the sixth for the Reds. The leadoff batter Kanellis reached base on an error and for the third time the Pirates had the leadoff batter on. Kanellis eventually scored and the Pirates inched closer with their 4th run.
Knipper led off the Reds half of the inning and reached base and stole 2nd. With the Reds trying to add some insurance Caputo came up to try to help his cause. He hit a ball behind third but Friedman raced over covering a lot of ground executing a highlight catch keeping the runner at 2nd . And Dalton was able to quiet down the Reds bats and hold them scoreless for the sixth leaving the lone runner stranded and the score Pirates 4 Reds 7.
New -old comer Chris CB Abrams came on to pitch the 7th for the Reds. CB closed down the swashbucklers to end the game on a 4-4-3 DP and earn the save. Chris came back after a few years hiatus and the Reds were sure glad to have him.

Final score Pirates 4 Reds 7. Reds history is now in the books.