Two games were played Tuesday in the Government and Industrial Coed Slowpitch Softball League at Emile Griffith Park.
Several teams battled for their playoff lives as their opponents attempted to move on. Airport blurred WAPA’s view 13-6 to prevent them from advancing to the second round. Meanwhile, Health eliminated Justice/Territorial Court 11-4 in the nightcap.
Airport pitcher Dale Rhymer allowed six runs in the first three innings. Airport was down by two but held WAPA scoreless for the rest of the game. Rhymer’s team answered with one run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 7-6 lead.
Airport rallied for six runs in the in the top of the seventh inning to take a seven run lead, which put the game out of reach.
Due to illness, WAPA changed its defense. However, Airport, the 1999 defending champs, capitalized on nine WAPA errors. WAPA manager Allen Brown was forced to move around his defense because his regular shortstop Leon "Bookem" Martin was sick with the flu. This put some players out of their normal fielding positions. However, Brown noted that his team had "no excuses, they played better than us tonight."
With the series now tied at one, the rubber game will be played on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Brown said "we’ll be back and ready."
In the final game, Justice/Territorial Court could not hold off Cyril "Zamba" Andrews or his team, Health. Andrews used a three phase attack in leading his team to victory. Andrews, Health's vocal leader, was perfect at the plate in three appearances and held Justice/Territorial Court to nine hits and four runs from the mound.
Health swept Justice/Territorial Court, 2-0. Health will face National Guard Friday at 7 p.m. in second round action.
