–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
May 13, 2025 (Liberty Park Stadium)
Masters Orange and Red started their game under a clear and cool blue sky, but storms were in the air by the time they finished. Outfielders slipped and slid on grass wet from three days of storms. The teams battled out a seesaw game. Orange scored four in the first inning highlighted by a home run by Mike Madden, but Red came back with five. Orange scored five in the second and held Red to one, to take a lead they held through the top of the last inning when they hoped to extend a 17 to 15 lead. The first two Orange batters got hits, but the Red shortstop, Ron Lentz, made a backhand stab to cut off a sure hit and then doubled the runner on second. Red scored three runs on hits by Dale McWhorter, Rel Underwood, Ron Lentz, and Little Glenn to win the game,18 to 17.
Orange hitters were 30 for 44 for a .682 team batting average. Holly Whitmire had a perfect 4 for 4 game. Red hitters were 29 for 42 with one walk for a .690 team batting average and a .698 on-base percentage. Ron Lentz was 4 for 4, Bill Lovell, Sid Hilton, John Woychak and Jim Anderson were all 3 for 3, and Cecil Kwong was 3 for 3 with a home run. Earl Dunn didn’t walk anyone and Ron Oliver only walked one for some of the best pitching of the season.
Orange manager Mike Madden was philosophical after the game. “Nobody likes to lose but I always like to remind myself that James Naismith was the only coach with a losing record in the history of the University of Kansas’ basketball team.”
The day’s second game was similar but had a different outcome. Sky Blue scored four in the first on hits by Ken Sransky, Royce O’Donnell, Carlos Davis, Rick Alston, and Glenn Little. Blue matched them. Ron (Hootie) Ingrahm got on when Pete Manown made a valiant dash into right field to catch a looper only to miss it. Rel Underwood followed with a hit and David Ferguson, Dan Peek, Sid Hilton, and Holly Whitmire drove in a run each. Carlos Davis drove in Sky Blue’s only run in the second and Cecil Kwong drove in Brian Giertatoicz for Blue’s only run in the second. Five to five after two.
Rick Alston got a hit for Sky Blue in the third but he was the only one and Blue surged into the lead with five in the bottom of the inning when Holly drove in a run with a two-out fielder’s choice and David Brasfield, Rick Erdimer, Jennifer, and Brian G all got RBI hits. Sky Blue got two in the top of the fourth on Bobby Watkins hit and Ken Sransky and Royce’s two-out RBI hits. Blue matched them with hits by Cecil Kwong, Dan Peek and David Brasfield and Holly’s RBI walk. Sky Blue 7, Blue 12 after four.
Sky Blue put on some pressure with five runs in the top of the fifth on consecutive hits by Rick Alston, Little Glenn, David Johnson, Harold Hagler, and Pete Manown, capped off by Steve Belcher’s three-run triple. Blue came up with two runs in their half when Cecil drove in Rel with a two-run homer. Blue 14, Sky Blue 12 after five.
Ken Sransky got a hit and scored on Royce’s hit for Sky Blue’s only run in the sixth. Blue extended their lead when Dan Peek and Holly scored on RBI hits by David Brasfield and Rick Erdimer. The score going into the open seventh inning was Blue 16 and Sky Blue 13.
Sky Blue rallied in their last chance, scoring seven. Rick Alston and Glenn Little led off with hits and David Johnson and Harold Hagler drove them in with RBI hits. Pete Manown got on with a fielder’s choice and Bobby Watkins drove him in with a single. Ken Sransky drove in two runs with a triple. Royce drove in Ken with a single and then scored on Carlos’ triple. Carlos tried to stretch it into a home run but David Ferguson threw him out at the plate as Jennifer made the catch.
Blue went into their last at bat behind, 20 to 16, and made two quick outs on grounders to shortstop and second. Then Rel and Cecil got singles and the home fans cheered as David Ferguson strode to plate. He waggled his bat, pointed to left field and swung from his heels. Fans held their breath as Royce backpedaled till he hit the fence. The ball was headed over the fence but Royce put one hand on the fence and leaped. The crowd lost track of the ball—it was stuck in the webbing of Royce’s glove and the game was over.
Sky Blue hitters were 30 for 45 with one walk for a .667 team batting average and a .674 on-base percentage. Ken Sransky was 5 for 5 and Rick Alston and Glenn Little were both 4 for 4.
Blue hitters were 23 for 41 with 8 walks for a .561 team batting average and a .633 on-base percentage. Sid Hilton was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and Dan Peek was 3 for 4, bringing his season total to 22 for 25.