Another Win
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Democrat Photo by
Rob Potter
SPLIT SECOND: Marissa
Rivera (Liberty) of the Sullivan County Big League Softball
team is a split-second late in applying the tag to Pine
Bush’s Janet Fago, who stole second in the third inning
of Sunday’s game. At right, watching, is second baseman
Jen Pellman, also of Liberty.
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Legion Team Drops Pine Bush
By Rob Potter
LIBERTY — July 7, 2000 -- On Sunday afternoon, for the second time in
three weeks, the Sullivan County American Legion Big League Softball
team picked up a win in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader.
And for the second time in three weeks, the team could not continue its
winning ways and sweep the doubleheader — because the second contest
was not played. On both occasions, the SC big leaguers had no control
over the fact that the afternoon’s second game was cancelled.
Back on June 11, the SC squad defeated New Windsor 5-2. But during a
short break between games, a severe thunderstorm hit the White Sulphur
Springs Firemen’s Field. The heavy rains and strong winds quickly
forced the umpires to call off the second game.
This past Sunday at the Liberty Elementary School softball field, the
SC team rallied to defeat Pine Bush by an 8-5 margin. But only one
inning into the second game, the contest became a scrimmage rather than
an officially sanctioned game.
Pine Bush pitcher Adrianne Quinn injured herself in that first inning
in a play at first base. In the bottom of the first (so that each team
has the chance to have the last at-bat, the visiting big league squad
becomes the designated “home” team in the second game of the
doubleheader), Quinn bunted a pitch from SC’s Jessica Wright and
raced towards first base. Quinn then collided with SC second baseman
Jen Pellman, who was fielding the throw to the bag.
Quinn toppled over Pellman and stayed on the ground for a few minutes.
With some help, Quinn walked back to the dugout. She then came out to
begin to pitch the top of the second, but couldn’t continue as she
was still feeling some pain.
Since both of the Pine Bush substitutes left after the first game
because of summer jobs, Quinn’s absence left the squad with only
eight players. The umpires — Chrissy Clark and Charles Taylor —
then conferred with the coaches as to how to proceed. After a few
moments, a decision was made to continue playing – but only as a
scrimmage.
In the game that was completed, however, SC scored seven times in the
bottom of the sixth inning to ensure the 8-5 victory.
Down by a 3-1 margin, Pellman led off the frame with a double to left
center. Marissa Rivera then singled up the middle to bring Pellman to
the plate. The next batter, Amanda Irwin, then ripped a triple to right
field, which allowed Rivera to score the tying run.
A few pitches later, Irwin scored on a wild pitch to give SC a 4-3
advantage. Just a few moments later, Linnea O’Mara scored on a
throwing error to give the locals a 5-3 lead.
Karin Blaut, who pitched all seven innings for SC and gave up only
three hits while striking out three and walking five, added a two-run
triple in the frame.
Although Pine Bush scored twice in the top of the seventh, the Sullivan
County squad — which is sponsored by the Floyd Keener American Legion
Post 315 of Roscoe — held on for the win.
“We did a really good job today,” said SC manager Joe Meola. “Once
one player started to hit the ball, it just snowballed.”
“There is no quit in this team,” added SC coach Gene Smith. “They
are a good group of kids.”
Meola noted the team is working well together, despite recent rains
that have limited the number of games and practices the team has had.
In fact, the win over Pine Bush was only the third complete game the
team has played this season.
The SC team will look to improve its 2–1 record this Sunday. At 4
p.m. at the White Sulphur Springs Firemen’s Field, the team will face
Newburgh in a doubleheader.
Back on June 28 in Newburgh, the SC squad was shut out by Newburgh,
13-0.
Meola said the the team is still looking for donations. Anyone seeking
more information about the team or wishing to make a donation should
contact Meola at (607) 498-4615. |