By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — June 1, 2004 – After a long, cold winter, exciting softball action has returned to Somerville Field in Monticello.
The first game of the Monticello Men’s Softball League’s 2004 season was played on Monday night, May 24. ABC Title defeated Giant Mobile by a final score of 15-0 in the contest. The winning pitcher was Michael Greco, who also is the league’s organizer.
ABC Title was led by Steve Belgiovene, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. The fastest man on the field was ABC Title’s Jesse Robinson, who went 3-for-3, with three RBI. Antonio Simmons crushed a two-run homer for ABC Title.
Giant Mobile was led by Joe Flores, who went 2-for-2. He clearly had the best swing on his team.
Giant Mobile catcher Jesse Snowden displayed an impressively strong arm. He threw out a runner attempting to steal second base.
Brian Vandermark of ABC Title hit the longest ball of the evening, nearly hitting a home run to left field. Teammate Ed Cruz displayed one of the best swings in the game, nailing a couple of line drives.
ABC Title was defensively sound as well. Michael Gilberg showed great hands at shortstop.
In the evening’s second game, Trotters Bar narrowly slipped by Ma & Pa’s, 10-9. Trotters was led by Eric Staudt, who recorded the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning. He went 4-for-4 with four RBI.
Gil Suarez had a strong game for Trotters as well, going 3-for-3 and scoring four runs. Aurelio Ruiz smacked a solo home run. Pitcher Irv Rundle picked up the win. Earl Pugh had one of the best swings on the team.
For Ma & Pa’s, Rob Burbridge began the year batting a thousand as he went 3-for-3, ripping a pair of doubles and scoring two runs. Ed Soto chipped in by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Vandermark heaped praise onto league organizer Greco for taking such a strong interest in local softball. Vandermark also credited Greco with helping to improve his swing.
“I couldn’t hit the ball out of the infield after the first practice,” Vandermark said.
In the first game, however, he sent the ball nearly 300 feet.