One year ago, the Columbus Lodge softball team, ("the Golden Lions"), played in their first charity softball game because they wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and adults who needed their help. On July 31, they returned to the charity event that began the team's journey, the 1999 Easter Seals Softball Classic.

The result was a 22-7 victory in the intermediate co-ed game, a 24-7 victory in the intermediate men's game, and a 16-15 extra inning victory in the advanced men's game. In just two years, the Golden Lions participation in charitable softball events and in-kind donations have helped local area charities raise over $234,000.

Breaking away from the Columbus Lodge's traditional purple and gold colors, the team took the field wearing their new white with red trim uniforms, with Sons of Italy logo across their left chest. "Our players represent the lodge and ought to look good," said Tony Ragno, 2nd vice president for the South Farmingdale based lodge.

In the opener, the Golden Lions played in a co-ed game against the team from Shanhoit Corporation. The Lions pounced on the opposition early, scoring 7 runs in the first and 6 in the second inning. Joe Pasale and Tommy McLoughlin each collected 4 hits and 4 runs scored and, Plainview resident, Tallyann Byrnes pitched in a masterful game, in 97 degree heat, for the Lions.

In the men's intermediate game, the Columbus Lodge took on the United States Postal Service. In an ironic twist of fate, the Columbus Lodge's Pete Gisonda, a retired Postmaster, took the field against the company he made a career and pitched the Golden Lions to a 24-7 victory.

Recently, the Postal Service reported dog bites were down six percent from the prior year; but that didn't stop Gisonda from taking a bite at them, as he perplexed the postmen with his "screwgy." In the first inning, Charlie Gore's lead off single opened the door for a 7 hit attack that lead to 4 runs for the Golden Lions.

In the home half of the second inning the Lions exploded for 5 runs and busted out 7 more in the fourth inning, to take a 17-5 lead. In the fifth inning, Glen Merto delivered a 2-run homerun; Glen would end up scoring the Lions' final run in the 6th. Tommy McLoughlin led the hitting barrage with two triples.

Defensive gems were plentiful, as Tommy McLoughlin and Glen Rice were spectacular in left field and left-center field, respectively. In the sixth inning, Lions' shortstop, Daron Tripoli snatched the ball in short left field and made an improbably, mid-air spin and throw to first base to gun down the runner; Ed Bochynski's one bounce grab of the ball, completed the play.

In the advanced men's competition, the Lions took on the team from the accounting firm of KPMG (1998 WESCO Accounting League Champions). The game lived up to its billing as the lead changed seven times. With the score knotted at 15-15, Anthony Curran's extra inning double scored Daron Tripoli for a 16-15 Columbus Lodge victory.

The Lions opened the scoring with 2 runs; as Joe Pasale and Dave Saviano scored. KPMG came right back with 4 in the bottom of the first and 2 more in the second. Down 6-2, Daron Tripoli smacked a 3-run homerun, scoring Pasale and Saviano ahead of him. "We're a team that's learning how to win," said Lions' veteran Joe Contorno.

Dave Saviano led off the fifth with a single to right and later scored the first of 4 Columbus Lodge runs. After Tripoli and McLoughlin scored, Dave's brother, Jeff Saviano, doubled in Ed Bochynski with the final run in the inning, to give the Lions a 9-6 lead, going into the bottom of the fifth.

KPMG's Lou LiBrandi ignited a 4-run rally and once again the Golden Lions trailed 10-9. The Lions' "Hippy Tony" Novarro's running catch along the right field foul line prevented any further damage. "Win or lose, this is the kind of game you like to play in," said Tom Galgano, a senior manager for KPMG.

In the sixth, the Lions erupted for 6 runs on 8 hits, to regain the lead 15-10. Then, Gisonda held KPMG scoreless, with the help of some defensive gems in the bottom of the inning. Tommy McLoughlin and Dave Saviano ran down two well hit balls at the 285 foot sign in left field and Ed Bochynski stretch/scoop of 3rd baseman Joe Pasale's splendid grab and throw, ended the inning.

The mark of a champion is the ability to come from behind. KPMG tied the score at 15-15 by scoring five unanswered runs in the bottom of the seventh, setting up an extra inning finish. In the eighth, Anthony Curran's blast over the left fielder's head, scoring Tripoli, gave the Lions a 1-run lead to protect.

Fighting back, LiBrandi's single put the tying run on base with one out, for KPMG. The next batter hit a flair to left; Lions' shortstop Daron Tripoli turned his back to the infield and made spectacular over the head catch in short left field. The game ended with a line drive to third baseman Joe Pasale.

Later, Pete Gisonda would be given one of the three trophies the lodge collected, for his two fine pitching performances; Pete walked only one batter in the two games he pitched. For the Easter Seals of New York, this year's Softball Classic was filled with fun and excitement.