EDITOR’S NOTE: This a continuing series on the Brookville Grays and Summerville Braves during the 1976 J-I (Jefferson-Indiana) League season 50 years ago. The season story picks up on July 23. Game highlights come from the Punxsutawney Spirit, which covered the league very well.
The Brookville Grays moved into sole possession of the J-I League Northern Division for one day but a loss on Sunday, July 25 dropped them into a share of first place and the race is as tight as ever.
After co-challenger Valier lost a 14-10 game to the Punxsy Hotel Pirates the previous day, the Grays followed the next day with a 12-11 to Rossiter while the Bombers downed the Gipsy Giants 3-2.
The Miners were outhomered 3-1 by the Grays, but still held off the Grays who got homers from Rick Simpson, Tom Simpson and Tim Yoho. The win got the Miners into a tie for second place in the Southern Division.
The Summerville Braves lost on Sunday to the Hotel by an 18-7 score as Bob McCullough doubled and Mark Reddinger singled twice. Mark Hummell took the loss on the mound.
On Sunday Aug. 1, the Grays dropped a 4-3 loss to their division rival Bombers and lost first place and home field advantage for their best-of-three divisional playoff series that begins Wednesday in Brookville.
The loss finished the Grays at 23-7 while Valier improved to 22-8. The Bombers took the lead for good with three runs in the top of the ninth inning after trailing 3-1 going into the inning. Ernie Sheesley and Ken Mack both singled in the Bombers’ three-run rally. Al Smith got the win on the mound while Jim Rhodes took the loss.
Summerville lost to Valier on Saturday, July 31 in a rain-shortened 3-0 loss in five innings. The Braves finished the year as McCullough pitched and allowed just four hits while striking out one. Summerville finished 7-23.
In the South Division, it’ll be the Punxsy Hotel Pirates squaring off against the Gipsy Giants in a best-of-three series with the winners of both series meeting in a best-of-five final.