Today’s play-in game was an exciting game as expected, with Kettle protecting their fourth-place position over the underdog Shellback squad. The script, however took some twists and turns. Starting pitcher Ernie Rounsfell got stuck in the Los Coyotes Traffic Circle and was unable to make gametime. In stepped Carlos Arias to make his Kettle pitching debut. Carlos cleverly enticing the Turtles into the Sam’s Curse of five runs in the first inning, he held them to two runs over the next seven. He got almost flawless support from his short-handed defense as they converted three double plays. After falling behind 7-1 going into the third, the Kettlers tenaciously clawed back. With four in the third and five in the sixth, they pulled ahead. A five-run eighth sealed the deal. The four runs in ninth were not enough for Shellback Tavern, as the Kettle advanced to face Admiral Risty in next week’s 11 o’clock semi final, the final score 11-16. Everybody got at least a hit for the Kettle with Howard Thompson hitting two doubles among his four hits. Jon Chapman also had four, with a home run and a double. Chuck Berez added a triple to the mix. Shellback Tavern were powered by the 4 hits by Dwayne Kingsby, 3 hits each from Ron Rotstein, Jeff Walsh, Ken Ahlmeyer (double), 2 hits each from Audie Freeman and Eddie Comic.