A record crowd of 4,327 at Bowman Field saw the Williamsport Tigers inaugurate the Eastern League’s 25thanniversary season, as the locals defeated Elmira 11-4.

It was all joy in Tigertown this morning for yesterday the Tigers playing under their freshman skipper, George Detore and living up to their new moniker unleashed a savage 16-hit attack—nine consecutive during the fourth inning –to hand Norm Scott an 11-4 win over the Elmira Pioneers.

For the team picked to finish last in this campaign, it was an auspicious debut—one that showed power at the plate in driving three moundsmen to the showers, four of the blows went for extra bases. Bruce Blanchard, Elmer Swanson, and Joe Ginsburg drilling out doubles and George Lerchen slugging one high over the right-field wall.

Lerchen’s circuit clout off Dee Sanders put the Tigers in the ballgame and erased an early three-run margin rolled up by the Pioneers.

Norm Scott, who limited the Pioneers to seven safeties, was only in hot water during the first frame.

Joe Ginsburg drove in what proved to be the winning run in the fourth when he rattled the left field boards with a smash, sending Jim Moran, who had opened with a single and Swanson who had doubled in with the fourth and fifth markers. Ed Yelkin took over mound duties but fared no better, Lerchen greeted him with a sharp single into centerfield driving in two more runs and Amil Brinsky who had a perfect day at the dish with four singles and a walk got the ninth Tiger hit before Elmira finally put out the fire.