SYLVANIA SENIOR SOFTBALL

Four Sylvania Senior veteran softball players took to the road on Sept. 6, 7, and 8 playing for various travel teams in Crown Point, Indiana. The I.S.S.A. hosted a national qualifier with teams acquiring a bid to TOC games in Florida after the lst of 2020.
Representing the 55's age bracket, Detroit Pony Express ballclub was Perry Chillus. The Pony Express went 5 and 0 winning games by scores of 20-10, 16-2, 30-4, 28-11, and lastly, the Championship game by a narrow margin of 17-16. The middle defensive infield turned 8 double plays. This same Pony Express club won their bracket at the Sylvania SPA Great Lakes tournament in August. Perry was limited to playing time due to an illness but still contributed by pinch running several times to help the team with his speed.
Two of the Sylvania Senior League power hitters played together for a 60's team - McDowell & Sons. This ballclub went 4 and 1 and won their divisional bracket. Tom Duhart hit .813 with 4 home runs, Doug Meek hit .765 with 5 dingers.
Rounding out this packet of players was Jay Schramm, who pitched five ball games for the Detroit Lug Nut 65's AAA. The Lug Nuts went 5 and 0 and had an exciting barnburner heading into the last inning as visitors with only a one run lead. A long running catch by Hall of Famer Gordy Ferguson and heads up catch of a liner by shortstop John "JJ" Johnson (from Michigan Hall of fame also) starved out any rally. The finals game went to the Lug Nuts winning easily by a score of 29-11. Jay Schramm went 16 for 19 with two walks and one home run. The Lug Nuts won their games by scores of 23-7, 27-18, 11-10, 18-17 and lastly the Championship game over Doc Martens by a score of 29-11. A superb overall effort by the Lug Nuts.