The Columbus Lodge #2143 Order of Sons of Italy in America began the 1998 softball season with a wild inter-squad game on Sunday, May 3, as Squad A defeated Squad B 17-16, in 10 innings.

Squad B opened the season with five runs in the top of the first as Daron Tripoli and Andy Poulin doubled in two runs apiece; Pete Gisonda drove in the fifth run with a solid single to left. Squad B widened its lead to 8-1 as Poulin collected his fourth RBI in the fifth inning.

In the sixth, Squad A's Rich Parmenter struck out the side. His performance served as a catalyst to wake up the dormant Squad A bats. Jeff Saviano singled to right and scored on brother Dave's blast to right centerfield. Matt Croothamel followed with a two run homerun and Squad A trailed 8-4.

Squad B opened the seventh with singles by Rich Flanagan and Stu Heller; two batters later John Miceli drove them in with a hard smash to left. After Miceli scored, Chuck Diamond's right field double sent Andy Pulin across the plate with Squad B's fourth fun of the inning.

Bottom of the seventh and down 12-4, Squad A erupted for seven runs and finally tied the score at 13-13 in the ninth inning on Dave Saviano's first homerun of the year. "This is a great game," said Anthony Curran, first baseman for the Columbus Lodge.

In extra innings, Andy Poulin drove in two runs, as Squad B scored three times to take a 16-13 lead; Poulin finished the game with six hits and eight RBIs.

Squad A stormed back in their half of the 10th with two straight hits. After two quick outs, consecutive RBI singles by Lee Miceli, Jeff Saviano and Dave Saviano (five hits, one HR, six RBIs) tied the score at 16-16.

The stage was set for Anthony Curran. With bases loaded, two outs and a tied score, Curran stroked the first pitch to the right centerfield gap; allowing Jeff Saviano to score the winning run.

On hand to observe the opening day game were two Columbus Lodge past presidents, John Juba and Sam Novarro. "We had a tremendous opening day turnout," said Ed Bochynski, co-chairman of the Columbus Lodge softball team.

Noticeably absent from the game was Glenn Merto, who will miss at least the first three months of the season due to a knee injury. For Merto (37), it was the first time he has failed to play in an opening day game since 1985.