By Ted Waddell
MONGAUP VALLEY — August 20, 2004 – The White Sulphur Springs Fire Department softball team captured the Sullivan County Fire Department Softball League championship with a victory on Wednesday night.
WSSFD clinched the crown by defeating the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department team, 15-8, in the second game of the best-of-three game championship series, which was played at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park in Mongaup Valley.
(On Wednesday, August 11, WSSFD won the first game of the series, 21-7, which was played at Gary A. Bradley Memorial Field in White Sulphur Springs.)
En route to its series-clinching victory, WSSFD led off with three runs in the top of the first.
SMVFD battled back with a couple of runs in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the second, WSSFD racked up four runs to make it a 7-2 ballgame, and in the following inning the team sent three runners across the plate to take an eight-run lead, 10-2.
At its turn at bat in the fourth, SMVFD picked up two runs. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, SMVFD added three more runs thanks to a three-run homer by Josh Meddaugh. Meddaugh’s blast made it a 10-7 contest.
In the top of the sixth, WSSFD picked up two runs, including a solo shot over the left field fence by Joe Decker.
WSSFD closed out the game’s scoring by tacking on three more runs in the final frame.
WSSFD pitcher Ryan Calkin picked up the victory, while Chris Cavello took the loss for SMVFD.