Sandlappers storms from behind – Henderson County Still Takes 3-4

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, August 14th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League had two teams in action. On field 8 at Jackson Park, the Henderson County 65/70+ team sponsored by American Legion faced the Upstate SC team from Spartanburg. In game one, Henderson

County held Spartanburg scoreless in six of the seven innings to capture a 14-4 victory. The second game started out in a similar fashion as Henderson County built an 8-2 lead after three innings of play. At that point, however, the Spartanburg bats came alive and Henderson County went cold and the Sandlappers stormed from behind to win by 13-8.

In Clayton, Georgia the Henderson County 60+ team sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy faced the Lumpkin County (GA) Miners in a battle of division leaders in the Clayton League. The Sluggers continued their supremacy in the Clayton League by sweeping Lumpkin. Henderson County dominated the first game with a resounding 18-3 victory. The second game was much closer and in fact, went 8 innings before the Sluggers headed home with the 19-17 win. With today’s sweep, Henderson County ran their record to 24-2 in Clayton League action. They will face Lumpkin County in a rematch in two weeks.

The next scheduled action for the Henderson County Senior League is set for Wednesday, August 21st when the 65/60+ team will host the Tri-Cities 65/60+ team on field 8 at Jackson Park and the 70+ squad will face the Tri-Cities 70+ team on field 9.

The Henderson County Senior Softball League is always looking for new players ages 50 and older. Regular league games are played on Monday and Friday mornings at 9:30 on fields 8 and 9 at Jackson Park in Hendersonville. For additional information go to:

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call 828-260-2130.

60-65 Team Gains 5 Game Lead in Clayton League

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, July 24th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League sent a 65/60+ team sponsored by Kiefer Family Chiropractic to the Canton International Sports Complex to face the Franklin (NC) Old Bones in a pair of Clayton League contests. In the first game, the two teams were tied at 9-9 when Henderson County broke the game open in the last two innings to pull away for an 18-11 win. In

the second game, Henderson County started slowly and fell behind 3-0 but roared back to capture a 14-5 victory. Due to the large lead, Henderson County did not bat in the seventh inning of the second game. With the pair of wins today, the Sluggers will maintain at least a five-game lead in their division of the Clayton League pending the outcomes of other games being played today.

The next action for the Henderson County Senior Softball League is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31st when they will play hosts to the Tri-Cities (TN) 65/60+ team on field 8 at Jackson Park and to the Seneca 70+ team on field 9 at Jackson Park.

Start times are set for 10:00 am on both fields.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call

828-260-2130.

Two HCSS League Members Medal at ISSA National Championship

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Brad Swift

Dan Borgmeyer and Marty Serafin was on the winning championship team at the ISSA National Championship Tournament in Burlington, NC this past July 17-21. Despite them both looking to be in their mid to late fifties, they actually played at the 75 age level. Congratulations, guys.

2 Wins & 2 Losses

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Brad Swift

The Henderson County Senior Softball League was back in action on Wednesday, July 17th after last weeks unexpected cancellations by both the Tri-Cities 65+ and 75+ teams. On field #8 at Jackson Park, a mixed 65/70+ Henderson County team sponsored by Parson Allstate Insurance hosted the Spartanburg 65/70+ team. The two teams were tied at 18 after five innings. At that point, the Spartanburg team combined good hitting with some sloppy fielding by the host team to pull away for a 31-19 win. In the second game, HendersonCounty could not hold onto an early 8-3 lead and fell by a 14-10 tally after going scoreless in four of the seven innings.

The scene was happier in Clayton, Georgia as the Henderson County 60+ team sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy exacted a measure of revenge by sweeping both games over the Tri-States team that had handed them their only losses in Clayton League action. The Sluggers lived up to their nickname by pounding Tri-States 19-8 in game one. The bats on both teams apparently cooled off after an hour lightning delay following the first game. Henderson County pulled out a 10-9 win in the second game and with today’s sweep, they will maintain a comfortable margin as the division leader in the Clayton League. They will square off against the other division leader, Lumpkin County, the first Wednesday in August.

The next action for the Henderson County league is set for Wednesday, July 24th as a combined 60/65+ team will travel to the Canton International Sports Complex to face the Franklin 60/65+ team in the Clayton League series.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call

828-260-2130.

Charity Event with Sheriff’s Department & WLOS a Roaring Success

Posted on June 2, 2019June 3, 2019 by Brad Swift

Logan Ford of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office smacks a hard-hit single in the second inning of Saturday’s benefit game against members of the Henderson County Senior Softball League. Proceeds from the event went to WNC Special Needs Sports. [STEPHEN KINDLAND/For the Times-News]

Third baseman Jim Park of the Henderson County Senior Softball League applies a late tag on Logan Ford of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office during a benefit softball game Saturday afternoon at Jackson Park. Proceeds went to WNC Special Needs Sports. [STEPHEN KINDLAND/For the Times-News]

Abby Fitzgerald helps to hold the American flag on a breezy Saturday afternoon at Jackson Park, just before the start of a benefit softball game between the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Henderson County Senior Softball League. Fitzgerald, whose grandfather, Don Ward, plays for the Seniors, also threw the ceremonial first pitch. [STEPHEN KINDLAND/For the Times-News]

Meghan Woods, who made it to the final 30 American Idol contestants earlier this year, sings the national anthem prior to Saturday’s softball game between the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Henderson County Senior Softball League. [STEPHEN KINDLAND/For the Times-News]

Members of the Henderson County Senior Softball League cross their hearts during the playing of the national anthem prior to Saturday’s benefit game against the Henderson Counnty Sheriff’s Office. Proceeds went to WNC Special Needs Sports. [STEPHEN KINDLAND/For the Times-News]

(Thanks to Stephen Kindland, a freelance writer and photographer living in Fletcher, for the great pictures.)

Today on field 4 at Jackson Park, the Henderson County Senior Softball League was represented by two teams in conjunction with the Henderson County Sheriffs Department and WLOS-TV. Although the scoreboard indicated that there were winners and losers, in reality there were no losers on this day and there was a very big winner, the WNC Special Needs Sports program. At the conclusion of game one, a check in the amount of $5,315.00 was presented to Donnie Jones for WNC Special Needs Sports and money continued to come in after that. The league received great exposure by participating in this worthy cause and it is hoped this will be the first of many more charity events.

As for the games themselves, both were very competitive. The team put together by Tim Epley and Jeff Donde acquitted themselves quite well in the first game against the Sheriffs Department despite losing. Although our players ranged in age from 60 to 70, the younger and more powerful Sheriffs Department knew they had been in a fight when the last out was made in their 18-14 win. This game proved that Seniors can still play a pretty good game of softball and hopefully, this exposure will help attract even more, and younger, players.

The second game of the day proved to be a thriller in a coed game for our league against WLOS-TV. Ed Neace put together a team of players from our league ranging in age from 70 to 80+ that was supplemented by some ladies and a few players from the Special Needs group. The Henderson County Seniors jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first inning and did not score again until the last inning. WLOS kept chipping away and surged out to an 11-5 lead heading into the seventh inning. The league team then put together some timely hitting accompanied by some “charity” from WLOS and scored seven runs to storm back and capture a 12-11 victory.

Also, check out this article from Blue Ridge Nowwith some great photos of the event captured by Stephen Kindland.

The Henderson County Senior Softball League is always looking for new players ages 50 and older. Regular league games are played on Monday and Friday mornings at 9:30 on fields 8 and 9 at Jackson Park in Hendersonville. For additional information go to:http://www.wncsrsoftball. com or call 828-260-2130.

Victory at Round Robin Games

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, May 29th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League 70+ team sponsored by WNC Family Medical Center played host to three other teams in a round robin tournament at Jackson Park. It was a warm day and the Henderson County bats were hot as they dominated the field. In the first action of the day on field #8, Henderson County took the early lead and rolled to a convincing 27-16 win over the Franklin (NC) 70+ team. At the same time on field #9, the Upstate SC (Spartanburg) 70+ team broke open a close game midway through to capture a 22-14 victory over the Tri-Cities (TN) 70+ squad.

In the consolation bracket on field #9, Franklin scored early and often on the way to a 25-12 rout of Tri-Cities. In the championship bracket on field #8, Henderson County maintained a comfortable margin the entire way in capturing a 16-12 win over Upstate SC that was not as close as the final score would have you believe. Upstate SC scored six runs in the top of the seventh and Henderson County obviously did not have to bat in the bottom of the frame to make the final score seem semi-respectable.

The next action will take place on field #4 at Jackson Park on Saturday, June 1st when the league will join forces with the Henderson County Sheriffs Department and WLOS-TV in a charity fundraiser for the WNC Special Needs Sports. The first game of the day is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm as the Henderson County 60+ team sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy and coached by Tim Epley will square off against the Henderson County Sheriffs Department. The second game of the day scheduled for a 2:30 pm start will be a co-ed affair between WLOS-TV

and some of our 70+ players led by Ed Neace and sponsored by WNC Family Medical Center. Plan to come out and support our league and the kids in these worthwhile charity events.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call 828-260-2130.

Tough Day with 4 Losses

Posted on May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 by Brad Swift

It was a tough day for the Henderson County Senior Softball League as they went winless in all action on Wednesday, May 22nd. In Clayton, Georgia the Henderson County 60+ team, aka The Sluggers, sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy saw their undefeated season come to an end as they dropped the twin bill to Tri-States. Tri-States had been mediocre this season, but they were superlative today.

Game one was very competitive but Tri-States eked out a 21-20 win. The second game was not as close and saw Tri-States roll to a 19-11 victory.

At Jackson Park in Hendersonville a similar scenario played out as Tri-Cities (TN) 75+ team rolled into town and swept both games from the home team. Tri-Cities won the first game by a comfortable 16-9 margin over the Henderson County 75+ team sponsored by W.F. Wood Fired Pizza. The second game was a back and forth affair, but when the last out was recorded it was Tri-Cities on top of the scoreboard recording a 22-21 win.

The next league action is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th, when the Henderson County 70+ team welcomes teams from Spartanburg, Tri-Cities, and Franklin to Jackson Park for a one day round robin tournament. The action will take place on fields 8 and 9.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call 828-260-2130.

4 Game Sweep

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, April 24th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League sent two teams on the road to do battle and came out with a victory in all four games that were played. In Clayton. Georgia the Henderson County 60+ squad, aka The Sluggers, sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy lived up to their nickname as they crushed the Rabun County team. This was a battle of undefeated division leaders from the Clayton League, but when the dust settled only Henderson County remained unbeaten. After falling behind by 4-3 after one inning of play, Henderson County hit the ball well and played solid defense to win game one by a 24-10 score. Game two was more of the same as Henderson County continued to pour it on for a 29-10 win.

At the same time, the Henderson County 70+ team sponsored by Worsham Tax Service made the trip over the mountain to Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, Tennessee to play the Tri-Cities 70+ team. The first game was nip and tuck as only one run separated the two teams after six innings of play. However, in the top of the seventh inning Henderson County exploded for seven runs and held Tri-Cities to four in the bottom half to pull out a 19-15 win. Henderson County kept the bats hot from the seventh inning of the first game going into the second game as they scored 20 runs in five innings to win going away 20-7. Because of the large lead, Henderson County did not bat in the bottom of the sixth or seventh inning.

The next action for the league takes place on Wednesday, May 1st as they once again send two teams on the road. The Henderson County 65/60+ team travels to the neutral site of Waynesville to play the Franklin squad in Clayton League action. The Henderson County 75+ team will travel to Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN to face their counterparts from Tri-Cities.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call

828-260-2130

League Drops 3 out of 4 Games

Posted on April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, April 17th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League had two teams in action at two different venues. The Henderson County 65+ team sponsored by Phillips Family Chiropractic made the trip over the mountain to face off against the Tri-Cities 65+ travel squad at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN. The teams seemed to be evenly matched as they split the two games and after fourteen innings of play, only two runs separated the cumulative scores. In the first game, Henderson County surged out to a large lead and picked up a 16-8 win. In the second game, the Tri-Cities bats came alive as they came out on top with a 19-13 victory.

At Jackson Park, the Henderson County 70+ team sponsored by Barnette & Coates Insurance played host to the Spartanburg (Upstate), SC 70+ team that will be playing at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque, NM this summer. The Henderson County team was diluted because four of their players had qualified with the Spartanburg team and were playing with the “enemy” on this day. Even though the Henderson County team had to borrow some players from the 75+ team to fill out the roster for this game, they hit the ball well and played competitively for the most part although they dropped both games to Spartanburg by 20-9 and 20-13 scores.

The next action for the league is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th as they become road warriors. The Henderson County 60+ team travels to Clayton, GA to square off against Rabun County, GA. This will be a matchup of the early season division leaders in the Clayton League. On that same day, the Henderson County 70+ team will travel to Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN to face off against the Tri-Cities 70+ team.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. comor call 828-260-2130

The Winning Ways Continue

Posted on April 10, 2019April 12, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, April 10th, the Henderson County Senior Softball 60+ team sponsored by Southeastern Physical Therapy LLC played host to the Lake Keowee Lakers in the opening games of the Clayton League season. The action took place on field 8 at Jackson Park and, although the home team took both games, it was very competitive in the first game. Lake Keowee Lakers led game one 5-1 halfway through before Henderson County took a slight 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Lake Keowee regained the lead at 8-6 before the home team again came from behind and took control to pull out a 14-11 victory. The Henderson County bats came alive in the second game as they scored early and often to cruise to a comfortable 24-8 win.

The next league action is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th as the Henderson County 65+ team will travel to Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN to face their counterparts from the Tri-Cities 65+ squad. On that same day, the Henderson County 70+ team will host the Spartanburg 70+ team on field 8 at Jackson Park.