Somehow the field in New Scotland missed the torrential rain that battered neighborhoods just a few miles away. With mother nature on our side the Peppers and Dodgers squared off in the first round of the 55+ double-elimination tournament.

The Peppers started quickly with a walk, an E5 (I was the 5) and a long double to center by Herb Carter to score the first run. Dan Durbak followed with a bullet that was snared by Dodgers' pitcher Denicola who then turned and doubled up the runner at third. A pop-up to second ended the rally. The Dodgers responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Singles by Staulters and Denicola, an IBB to Bradley, a big, two-out double and an RBI single by Hoeg were the highlights.

Mark Denicola and the Dodgers' defense controlled the rest of the game with 1-2-3 innings in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th.

The Dodgers added two important runs in the 5th with consecutive singles by Bradley, Schaefer and Reed. A tack-on run was scored in the 6th with a Kocienski single, an E5 and a solid single by Staulters. Dan Durbal pitched very well for the Peppers and the guys in red committed just one error behind him. All in all, a very well played game.

Weather permitting the Dodgers will play the Yankees tonight in Schenectady.