Spring 2026 AL Games Summaries

January 20 

 Opening day for the Spring Session. The deck has been shuffled. How will it all play out? Well, if today’s games are any indication, it’s going to be another fight to the finish. Three games decided by a total of 4 runs. And even an extra inning affair right out of the gate. Here’s the highlights: 

 Peace Smoke Shop 17, Bibiano’s 16 

Ron Wiebold’s base hit scored Mark McGehee giving Peace Smoke Shop an extra inning walk-off victory. Peace Smoke Shop was ahead comfortably most of the game, leading 11-3 after three and 15-8 after six before Bibiano’s scored 7 runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Peace had a chance to win it in regulation but left the tying run stranded at second. In the top of the eighth, Bibiano’s did plate the “ghost” runner from second, but that wasn’t enough and Peace came away victorious. Wiebold, whose hit made him 4/4 on the day was joined at 4/4 by Bob Hamilton. Dave Rachau was 4/5 with a double, two others were 3/4: Craig Josz (3/4, 3b, bb,) and Mark Richter ( 3 /4 , 2b, bb.) McGehee and Ron Barrio were 3/5. For Bibianos, Arne Kvarnberg was 4/4, John Galles 4/5 with two doubles and a triple, Jeff Smarr and Alan Kniager were 3/5 and Roger Piazza was 2/4 with a walk. 

Kingers Medicare 12, Armed Forces 10 

 Both teams came out firing with each scoring the max 4, Armed Forces while making no outs and Kingers only one. Armed Forces got what would end up being their only lead of the game when they scored 3 in the third to go up 7-6. They would only score one more as Kingers pulled ahead with a 4-spot in the fifth and led by two going into the open inning. Medicare would then put up 2 in the top of the inning, leaving the Forces chasing four. They did plate two and had the tying run on, but a well hit ball was caught by left fielder Tony Willett to seal the victory for Kingers. Mike Ickes didn’t miss a beat, going 5/5 with a double, Tom Nadel was 3/4, Greg Bradley and Mark Maynard 2 /3 with a walk, winning pitcher Doc Doxtader 3/5 while Les Strueby had two doubles. For Armed Forces, the top of the lineup was strong with leadoff Don Parker going 4/4 with a double, Joedy Pack 3/3 with a double, Pete Laufer 3 /4 with two doubles, Lynn McAdam 2/3 with a walk. Mike Adair also went 2/3. 

Reynolds Rangers 19, Timber Creek 18 

 Jack Smith’s single scored Doc Doxtader with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh giving Reynolds Rangers a come from behind win in the opener for both teams. Creek was ahead 17-12 heading into the bottom of the sixth and after the Rangers scored 4, had a one lead as the seventh began. TC scored one to increase the lead to two, but the Rangers would answer with three and get the victory. Lots of offense in this one. For the Rangers, Steve Starr took over where he left off last session going 4/4 with a double, Vernell King was 3/3 with a walk, Mark Richter 3 /4 with a walk and a double, Rich Brinkman, Dave Burton, winning pitcher Jimmy Alexander and Randy Searcy were 3/4 with Searcy getting a double, Smith 3/5 with a double and Doxtader subbing mid-game and going 2/3. For Timber Creek, Bill Mann was 5/5 with two doubles, super-sub George Fairbanks 4/4 with a double and a triple, Pete Bell 4/5 and Dave Price 4/5 and John Hinson 3/5.

Play resumes Friday. This writer will be gone watching the NFC championship game in Seattle. Have fun!