In a rematch of the most recent championship game the Reds and the Bears went at each other on 5th Quarter Field in Verona. The two teams split four games over the course of the regular season and finished first and second in the standings, the Reds winning ‘the pennant’ by beating the Bears in the season finale.

In the championship game tonight the Reds rode a four run first inning to a 4-1 win. The two starting pitchers both had their good stuff tonight. Brian Dostalek, ‘Doc,’ held the Reds to just three hits over his five innings, striking out three. He walked one. After the four run first inning he allowed just one hit and no walks.

Randy Gaber for the Reds though was equal to the task, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk over his five innings of work. Dan Ketter pitched the last two for the Reds allowing no runs at all.

The unsung hero of the game was Red Bob Bezzi who, two months shy of his 75th birthday, caught the whole game after the Reds regular catcher injured his knee running the bases Sunday.

Todd Voit got the Reds only extra-base hit of the night, his double driving in two of the Reds’ runs.

The Bears turned in the night’s only ground ball double play in the third inning, (Greg) Gaber to Arnold to Matthews, to keep the Reds from adding to their lead.

The Bears got their run in the 5th when Dostalek hit a rocket to third which was knocked down by Mark Holzwart who got off a strong throw to first, which missed getting the out by an eyelash, then coming around to score on a stolen base, a grounder to the right side and a single by Marty Wojcik.

Both teams will be back next season, stronger than ever, to renew the rivalry, while also having to hold off the Expos and the Bulldogs. Opening Day is just … 245 days away