Bedfordtimesregister.com - Russell Equipment claims city softball title in thriller

With the Bedford Recreation Coed Softball City Championship Series tied at a game a piece, Russell Equipment was down to its last at bats and trailed by five.

That's when the rally began.

Russell Equipment scored six runs and then held off Finishing Touches by Vickie to win game three 17-16 Aug. 18, giving them a two games to one series victory.

The decisive game was back and forth, with Russell Equipment scoring six in the top of the first inning.

Finishing Touches roared back to take a 13-8 lead heading into the sixth inning.

An RBI single by Rob Sebera cut the lead to two, but Finishing Touches by Vickie rallied for three in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a three-run home run to the opposite field by manager Mike Fiorilli.

Only needing three outs in the top of the seventh, Finishing Touches looked good to win, but Russell Equipment had other things in mind. The sixth-run seventh inning was a total team effort as no hit was more than a single in the inning.

Finishing Touches by Vickie had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but could not get the hit to extend the game and the series.

Russell Equipment had Rob Sebera lead the way with three RBIs. Katie Drake, who suffered an arm injury midway through the game, knocked in two in a gutsy performance.

Manager Mike Fiorilli and Ed Florek combined for three homers and ten RBIs for Finishing Touches by Vickie.

The series reached a game three after splitting the first two games.

Russell Equipment took game one by jumping out to an 11-0 lead after the second inning and going away 23-9. Melisa Sebera knocked in two runs for the winners.

Game two went to 10 innings before Finishing Touches by Vickie pulled off a 21-19 win.

Brian Clark capped off the four-run 10th inning with a two-run triple.

Russell countered with two runs in the 10th, but it was not enough and the series was tied. Fiorilli had a homer and six RBIs in game two. Stacey Horvath had three hits and four RBI for Russell Equipment.

This City Championship Series ends the coed summer season, but in two weeks the coed fall season begins with many of the same teams.

The games will be played on Friday nights at both Ellenwood Field and Tim Lally Field at the Bedford Glens.

-- Submitted by Glenn Moore, Bedford Recreation adult softball commissioner

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113