Giving back to their community, Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions began a month of softball fund-raising events with an impressive showing at the "4th Annual Sons of Italy Softball Tournament," held for the benefit of the Arthritis Foundation of Long Island. The June 9 event saw the Golden Lions impressively reach the finals before losing to the team from the accounting firm of KPMG.

For the Lodge, the tournament held surprises before the first pitch was thrown. Two years ago Lodge member Tommy McLoughlin moved to Pennsylvania. Doing his best impression of General Douglas MacArthur, McLoughlin made good on his vow to return. "Tommy was so excited to come back for this," said wife Susan McLoughlin. McLoughlin entered the dugout to the delight of his teammates.

In the first round, McLoughlin paid dividends when his second inning triple scored Jeff Saviano with the first run of the tournament. After two years, a shortage of outfielders prompted Lions manager Ed Bochynski to call McLoughlin and he accepted. "Getting Tommy to play was the best move Ed (Bochynski) could have made," said Lions Anthony Curran.

The Lions continued to build upon their lead when pitcher Lou Roseto thumped a run scoring double to extend the lead to six, (9-3). The team from Chris Jones, Inc. rallied for 2-runs in the sixth inning when McLoughlin prevented further damage with an over-the-shoulder catch in leftfield to end the rally and preserve the 9-5 win.

In the semifinals, the Lions played against World Federation Wrestling Champion Sunny Beach and his All-Stars. Lions' pitcher Anthony Curran set the tone for the game when he struck out Beach with the bases loaded, to end the first inning. While the Lions walked away with a 12-6 victory, defending champion KPMG was defeating Farrill Fritz PC 16-4 in the other semi-final matchup. The victories by the Lions and KPMG set up a rematch of last year's finals.

Coming into this tournament, Columbus Lodge and KPMG had met twice before, first at the 1999 Easter Seals Softball Classic and last year at the Arthritis Foundaiton Benefit Game; each team had won once. Maybe it was the first round bye, or maybe it was the quick victory in the semifinals, but the well-rested KPMG team exploded for 5 runs in the first and 4 more in the second inning. The Lions mounted their only rally when Dave Saviano's third inning 2-run triple brought the Lions to within six, 9-3. KPMG would score 4 more runs before the game ended. Tom McLoughlin's fifth inning single scored Ron Gandolfo with the finals final run in a 13-4 KPMG victory.

Event coordinators Jeff Jackson (Arthritis Foundation) and Ed Bochynski (Columbus Lodge #2143) were pleased by the corporate sponsorship that included Aventis Pharmaceuticals (T-shirt sponsor), the Nassau ASA Umpire Association, Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge #2143, Farrill Fritz PC, KPMG, Spellman High Voltage, the Outback Steakhouse and WALK-FM. For information on participating in next year's event one may call Jeff Jackson at (631) 427-8272.

The Order Sons of Italy in America is a not-for-profit fraternal organization. The Columbus Lodge #2143 is a member of the OSIA and offers its members various social and recreational activities, as well as community and charity involvement. For more information on becoming part of the softball team, or for general information about the organization, contact Pete Gisonda at 798-3972.