Last week Columbus Lodge #2143 Order Sons of Italy in America's softball team (the Golden Lions) defeated the Bellmore Young Guns 13-12 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The victory was the Lion's third in their last four games in the South Shore Softball League.

Scoring early, the Columbus Lodge's Glenn Rice delivered a two-out single scoring Dave Saviano for a 1-0 first inning lead. In the second inning, the first two batters were retired before the Lions erupted for six runs on seven consecutive hits; Daron Tripoli's three-run homerun (his sixth of the season) highlighted the scoring.

The Columbus Lodge added two more runs in the fourth when Jeff Saviano, who opened the inning with a triple, scored on a Tony Novarro single. Later Vincent Battista scored on a two out single by Ed Bochynski.

The Young Guns shot their way back into the game with five runs in the sixth inning and took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, 12-11. Having blown the lead, the Lions were down to their last at-bat. A Joe Pasale single and Daron Tripoli walk placed runners on first and second base. With one out, outfielder Ron Gandolfo doubled to right centerfield to score the tying and winning run.

After the game, Columbus Lodge softball manager Ed Bochynski confirmed the Lodge has been in contact with Lightpath Officials about volunteering at the Lightpath Long Island Golf Classic. The Senior PGA tour will donate proceeds from the Golf Classic to Schneider Children's Hospital. The Golf Classic will take place from July 24-30 at Jericho's Meadow Brook Country Club.

"We're excited about this event and look forward to helping raise much needed funds for the Schneider Children's Hospital," said the Lodges' Ed Bochynski. The hospital is part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, of which Bochynski is employed.

The 500 member Columbus Lodge #2143, located at Boundry Ave/Broadway, is a member of the Sons of Italy, a not-for-profit fraternal organization. The Lodge offers its members various social and recreational activities, as well as community and charity involvement. For information about becoming a member, one may contact Pete Gisonda at 798-3972.