By Nathan Mayberg
GRAHAMSVILLE — May 10, 2005 – The Tri-Valley Lady Bears routed Liberty 27-2 on Saturday to win the Sullivan County Softball Officials Tournament at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds.
T-V faced the Lady Indians after defeating Monticello 15-1 earlier in the afternoon in one of the tournament’s opening round games. Leading the way for T-V was Lacey Moore, who belted a three-run homer and had four RBIs.
Liberty reached the championship contest by topping Eldred 10-7 in the other opening round game. Brittany Melchick hit two home runs and had four RBIs for the Lady Indians. Teammate Jessica Franke added a solo home run and three RBIs.
The Lady Bears won the championship game, which ended in the fifth inning due to the 15-run mercy rule, with an unrelenting offensive output. The performance included a two-run homer and four RBIs from Heather McArthur, four RBIs from Karyn Sheeley, four hits and three RBIs by Maria Jeltsch and three RBIs from Moore.
The winning pitcher was Lindsay Nuzzo, who stifled the Liberty batters with a powerful delivery and unorthodox windup. Nuzzo also pitched in the Lady Bears’ win over Monticello.
T-V (8-6) jumped on top with a six-run effort in the first inning. But Liberty fired back to load the bases in the bottom of the inning. However, Nuzzo rebuffed the challenge by striking out three batters in a row to end the inning.
The bright spots for Liberty included an RBI triple by Taylor Jardine. Jessica Franke chipped in with two hits.
Liberty (5-8) played without regular starting pitcher Marla Egan.
T-V Coach Mary Feusner was elated with the Lady Bears’ performance.
“I am very proud of them,” she said. “They just took the fourth Tri-Valley championship [since the tournament began in the early 1980s.] They did a fine job with their offense.”
Liberty Coach John Wilhelm was not available for comment after the game.
In the tournament’s consolation game, Monticello (4-8) beat Eldred (5-7) by a final score of 12-7. Leading the Lady Panthers to the win were Jackie Bunce and Emily Zier. Bunce blasted two home runs and finished with five RBIs, while Zier hit a home run and had three RBIs.
