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FABulous Performance

Nickila shines in reunion games 

By Joe Scarpa

Internet Writer

Hibbing, MN—

                As part of the Palmers Softball Team’s “Ten year” celebration weekend, the team hosted a reunion softball game this past Saturday at Vic Power Park in Hibbing.  Current players and players from yesteryears gathered to celebrate the milestone.  The team was divided into two teams consisting of equal amounts of players from the past and the present.  The teams played to 7 inning games before heading to Palmers for the evening dinner and final get together.

                Players from across the State of Minnesota, Wisconsin & New Mexico convened in Hibbing for the big event. Of the 51 invitees, 22 made the trek to the Iron Ore Capital of the World to meet, greet and reminisce about the old times.  Friday night consisted of a Meet & Greet where old friends and players met up for a little conversation and a few libations.  Saturday was the busy day of the weekend.  The team hosted a BBQ on the patio at Palmers, were team members met up again and played horseshoes and bocce ball and continued to reminisce about the old days.  At 2pm, the players headed to the ball field for a fun game of softball.  Following the games at Vic Power the players met up again at Palmers for a buffet style dinner with all the fixings, then the night ended with the playing of the game video on Palmer’s 25 foot TV screen.

                With family and friends present, the games began at Vic Power field.   The two teams battled hard and heavy, with a lot of fun and joking.  Past players took their old positions on the field including 3 year pitcher Jason Johnson (1999-current).  Johnson pitched both games with no rest, as he pitched to the same players that use to give him the run support that he use to need to win games back in the early part of the millennium.  Johnson managed to hold the opponent to no home runs, but his team fell short on runs, losing both reunion games.  2007 pitcher Ryan Anderson (2006-current) took to the mound for his team and pitched both games with some rest, as other players took to the mound to give Anderson some much needed rest.  Anderson gave up 5 home runs in 12 innings, but with the run support of his team, he was credited with both wins.  The games were mostly dominated with current players hitting and scoring the most runs, with the exception of Chris Thune (2003-2005 alumni) who lead all players with three home runs.  One current player stood out the most and made a real impact on the games and for his team.  Shawn “Fab” Nickila (2003-current) who, with 12 at bats, finished the day with a batting average of .750.  Shawn fell only a home run short of hitting for the cycle.   Shawn took control of the game, for his team, by playing offense in the lead-off position and playing defense in Left field and at short stop.  As the battle continued and his team trailed in both games, it was Nickila who got on base, drove in runs and hit, what would end up being, the game winning triple.  Nickila’s job in the bottom of the seventh inning, when the game was tied, was to get on base and get into scoring position, setting up for a Bobby Bussey (1998-2000) game winning single.  Nickila and his team won both games by a combined score of 33-20.  Past players getting recognition for their performance in the reunion games include Randy Lampton (1998-1999) who hit .500 and drove in 2 runs and Terry Bussey (1998-2000) who hit .500 and drove in 4 runs and of course, Bobby Bussey who drove in the game winning run in game two.  John Larson (1997-present) is credited with driving in the game winning run in the first game, even though his team went on to win by a score of 19-7.

                A complete success to the reunion was the general consensus from all players, past and present.  The team thanks Coors Light for their continued support for the past 8 years and Palmers for their support since the team was founded.

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Last modified: 05/09/10.