60+ Humana Sponsored Sluggers Bring It All Home

Posted on October 2, 2019October 2, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, October 2nd, the Henderson County 60+ team sponsored by Humana traveled to the Parker Meadows Complex in Franklin, NC to compete in the season-ending Clayton League tournament. The Henderson County team aka the Sluggers lived up to their nickname in the opening game of the

tournament with a resounding 30-7 win over the Lake Keowee Kings. The Sluggers scored the maximum allowable five runs in each inning of the game while holding the Kings scoreless until the fourth inning. While this game was being played, Franklin (NC) was in the process of pulling off a 23-19 upset win over the favored Lake Keowee Lakers. With this upset Franklin provided the opposition for the Sluggers in the second game of the day. Franklin played well and the second game was close through four innings. The Sluggers slowly pulled away and entered the final inning with an 18-9 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, Franklin pushed across five runs to narrow the final margin to four in the 18-14 victory. With the two victories, Henderson County entered the championship game to face the Tri-State Pick-ups. Tri-State was the only team to defeat the Sluggers this year as the two teams split their four-game match ups during the regular season. The Sluggers completed the regular season with a 32-2 record with the only blemish being the losses to Tri-State. In the final game of the tournament, Tri-State jumped out to an early 10-2 lead after two innings of play. The Sluggers did not quit and kept battling throughout the game, but Tri-State held a 19-17 lead as the teams entered the final inning. In the top of the seventh, the Sluggers took their first lead of the game and added to it by scoring seven runs. In the bottom of the frame, Tri-State was unable to score and the Sluggers captured the league championship with the 24-19 win. The three victories in the tournament extended the Sluggers’ overall record to 35-2 for the year in their inaugural season in the Clayton League.

The Henderson County league will be represented by the 65+ team (American Legion) and the 70+ team (Worsham Athletics) in the North Carolina Senior Games softball tournament in Cary, NC from October 4th through the 6th at Thomas Brooks Park. The two teams will play four games in pool play on Friday and Saturday before entering championship play on Sunday.

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.

The “Sluggers” Maintained Their Reputation

Posted on September 25, 2019September 25, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, September 25th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League sent a team sponsored by Humana to Nettles Park in Clemson, SC to face the Lake Keowee Kings in a pair of games that wrapped up the regular season in the Clayton League. Most of the Henderson County roster was made up of players who will be representing the league in the

65+ age division at the North Carolina Senior Games in Cary. The “Sluggers” maintained their reputation by sweeping the twin bill over the Lake Keowee Kings and extended their record in the Clayton League to 32-2 for the year. In game one, the Sluggers scored five runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed as they rolled to a 26-20 win over the Kings. The score is a little misleading because the Sluggers did not bat in the top of the seventh inning as the teams flip-flopped due to the lopsided score. Game two did not prove to be much different although the Kings did score five runs in the top of the first and took their first and only lead of the day. The Sluggers matched the five scored by Lake Keowee in the bottom of the frame. Henderson County scored the maximum of five runs in every inning throughout the second game and pounded out a 30-10 victory.

The Clayton League is scheduled to hold their tournament on Wednesday, October 2nd in Clayton, Georgia. The schedule for the tournament has not yet been posted so at the moment the Sluggers do not know their opponent(s) or the game times.

On Friday, October 4th, the Henderson County league will have a 65+ and a 70+ team begin play in the North Carolina Senior Games softball tournament. Pool play will end on Saturday, October 5th and the medal round will commence on Sunday, October 6th. The action will take place at Thomas Brooks Park.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call 828-260-2130.

Sluggers Capture Clayton League Championship with 26-2 Record

Posted on August 29, 2019August 29, 2019 by Brad Swift

On Wednesday, August 28th, the Henderson County Senior Softball League sent a 60+ team sponsored by Humana to Clayton, Georgia for a repeat battle of the division leaders in the Clayton League. And once again the “Sluggers” swept both games from the Lumpkin County (GA) Miners. Lumpkin County had posted on their facebook page that they would be out for revenge on this day, but revenge

will have to wait for another day. In game one, Lumpkin County jumped out to a three run lead in the top of the first inning only to see Henderson County respond with a four run inning. Henderson County never trailed again as they continued to build the lead and finished with a 17-9 win. Game two started with Lumpkin County having a glimmer of hope as they shut down the Sluggers in the top of the first, but that hope quickly faded after Henderson County posted five spots in both the second and third innings. David Keith pitched a great game and was backed by flawless defense as the Sluggers posted a 15-0 shutout that could have been worse as the teams flip-flopped and Henderson County did not bat in the top of the seventh. With the pair of wins today, Henderson County has run their record to 26-2 in the Clayton League. With only six games remaining and holding a seven game lead, they have captured the mythical regular season championship which paired with six or seven dollars will get you a latte from Starbucks.

Next Wednesday, September 4th, the Sluggers will once again make the trek to Clayton to face Rabun County Relics. Rabun County is 7-21 in league play, but they have been very competitive in some of their recent games against the Lake Keowee Lakers losing by four runs twice and one run once.

http://www.wncsrsoftball. com

or call 828-260-2130.

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.

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.