BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

April 8

1951 Chet Nichols and Max Surkont, Pawtucket’s only

major leaguers, worked together for the first time in their careers in hurling the Boston Braves to a 13-0 rout over the Denver Bears. Nichols fired hitless ball for five innings, striking out four and walking two. Surkont gave up one hit over the last four frames, fanning four and issuing only one free pass. The game was the final exhibition tilt for the Tribe.

1961 Sacred Heart Academy baseball coach Ray Lague

returns his top three pitchers and four starters. The infield is comprised of veteran Jimmy Healey (.278) at first, scrappy little sophomore Dick Bizier at second, vet Vic Fontaine (.273) at shortstop and Henry Quintal at the hot corner. The flychasers are Leo Dextradeur in left and fleet Jerry Papineau in center with right field up for grabs among six players. The starting mound corps consists of righty curve-baller Don Farley and 6-foot-3, 195 lb. right-handed flame-thrower John Dyl along with southpaw relief artist Walt Soja, while rugged (5-9, 160) Dick Cournoyer will again handle the catching chores.

1971 Tony Sassi and Jim Histen combined to win five

events, Sassi scoring in three and Histen taking a pair, to lead the Tolman outdoor track team to an easy 97-27 victory over Ponagansett in a dual meet at the McCoy Stadium Annex. Sassi posted his triple in the 180-yard low hurdles, the 120 high hurdles and the long jump while Histen captured the 100 and 220-yard dash events. Other individual winners for the Tigers were Bob Bozek in the 440, Ray Danforth, twomile, Pete Mikucki, discus, Max Linton, javelin, and Mike Mulcahey, pole vault.