Last Sunday, the Nassau Conference Men's League held one of its more significant regular season games as the first place Freeport Dirty Dozen defeated the second place Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions 24-23, in extra innings. "This was a great game to watch," observed Columbus Lodge's Frank Curran.

The game began with the Columbus Lodge #2143 pouncing on Freeport pitching for five runs in the first inning and held a commanding 12-4 lead heading into the bottom of the third. "You can never have enough runs against those guys (the Dirty Dozen)," said Lions Anthony Curran. The Freeport team exploded for nine runs and took a 13-12 lead.

Over the next four innings both teams battled back and forth, setting up a dramatic seventh inning. With the Columbus Lodge #2143 trailing 22-19, and just two outs away from defeat, consecutive walks to Ed Bochynski, Tony Novarro and Lou Roseto loaded the bases with one out and set the stage for outfielder Vinny Calone. The Massapequa resident, who is currently batting .508, stroked a 2-2 pitch to right field for an RBI single, scoring Bochynski. Third baseman Lee Miceli followed with a two run single to tie the score at 22-22.

A Dave Saviano ground ball to second base scored Calone with the go-ahead run and the Golden Lions took a 23-22 lead into the bottom half of the seventh inning. A lead off walk gave the Dirty Dozen optimism; however, the wind was let out of their balloom when the next batter grounded to Vinny Battista at second base. After a Battista to Gondolfo to Bochynski double play, the Lions were one out away from victory.

"They're (the Columbus Lodge) the best team we've faced all season," said Ricky Preuitt, manager of the Freeport team. Down to their last out, the Dirty Dozen sent up their clean-up hitter, who promptly walloped the ball over center fielder Dave Saviano's head for a game tying home run that sent the two teams into extra innings. The Dirty Dozen won the game an inning later (24-23) ending the two hour and 43 minute marathon. The next time the two teams can meet will be in the playoffs.

Lodge #2143, a member of the Orders Sons of Italy in America, is a not-for-profit fraternal organization that 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, one may contact Pete Gisonda at 798-3972.

Other OSIA News: Andy Poulin returned to action after strained ligaments sidelined him for three weeks ... The 4th Annual Columbus Lodge Golf Tournament will be on Aug. 13 to benefit various Long Island charities. For more information one may contact golf committee chairman Angelo Mangione at 541-5649 or co-chairman Nick Manobianco at 249-3315.