As she watched the 61-and-older All Stars slug it out in an East versus West battle, Missy Patton couldn't hide her anxious anticipation.

After all, she was breaking new ground here.

The recently retired English teacher was about to become the first woman to play in an annual Gold Country Senior Softball Association All-Star Game.

“I'm so nervous,” she said. “I've been playing since the fourth grade. I have an older brother and I was always playing with the boys. But being on the All Stars is obviously new to me.

“Don't think I'm not terrified.”

Patton might have been feeling nervous, but she sure didn't look so at the plate. The rookie went 3-for-4 with a double in her All-Star debut, helping lead the South team to an 18-16 win over the North in the 50-60 year-old exhibition at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley.

The South jumped out to an 8-2 lead by the end of the third inning and kept that margin at 12-6 through five. But the North squad began the comeback trail in the sixth, climbing within 15-11.

That's when Craig Cattani drove a shot deep to left field for a home run. Cattani, who is playing his first full season in the league after many years at the Masters level, also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs.

“We had a real good team,” Cattani said after the win. “Most of the guys I hadn't played ball with before. But it was a good team.”

The South had several hitters rack up multiple hits. Mark Neufeld led the way with a 4-for-4 game with 2 RBIs. Jeff Rice was 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, while Bill Cordery, Albert Richie and Layne Christensen were each also 3-for-4 at the plate.

Rice, the South's shortstop, also starred in the field with a pair of double plays. He connected with second baseman Rick Miner and Neufeld at first base for a 6-4-3 DP to end the first inning at a 2-2 tie. He also came up with the game-ending double play, snagging a shot at short, stepping on second base and firing to first to end the North's teams late charge.

The North was led by Al Bolen's 3-for-4 day at the plate with a grand slam homer and 5 RBIs. Steve Cochran went 3-for-3 on the night.

Missy Patton not only made GCSSA history herself by being the first woman to play in an All-Star game, she also served as one-half of the first couple to take the field on All-Star night. Her husband, Ray Patton, played first base for the West team in the 61-and-over game.

“I was lucky and she was good,” Ray said in how the husband-wife team had made the All-Star squads. “There are a lot of women playing uptown who are getting older and are good ballplayers, so there's a possibility (more women are on the way).”

Ray Patton's squad also emerged victorious in the early evening slugfest, as the West won 20-11. Bob Hannah had a huge day at the plate from the leadoff spot, going 4-for-4 for the winners. Bill Wilson was also 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs, while Larry Edgerton added another 4-for-4 game to the West team's cause. Myron Prychon went 3-for-3 and Don Heyfron was 3-for-4.

Ed Kirkley led the East team by going 3-for-4 on the night.

All-Star game director Jim Keck, who played for the East in the 61-and-over matchup, said win or lose the game is always a wonderful way to celebrate the game he and his fellow seniors have been playing since they were children.

“This league is just a continuation of the skills we've enjoyed all our lives,” Keck said. “There are folks who think that ends with some sort of roadblock there. I think they're mistaken. The road is still there for those who choose to seek it. And if you come down here on a night like tonight, you see it.”

Missy Patton couldn't help but smile in agreement.

“That's what is so cool about these guys,” she said. “They're lifelong ballplayers. And I think that's what we have in common.

“They love the game and so do I.”

To contact Sports Editor Brian Hamilton, e-mail bhamilton@theunion.com or call 477-4240.