By Lori Brown
MONGAUP VALLEY — June 23, 2006 – On Tuesday night, both the Rolling V and L&B Too teams entered their Sullivan County Women’s Softball League (SCWSL) “B” Division game at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park with identical 0-4 records.
L&B Too grabbed a big lead early in the contest and recorded its first win of the season, 19-2. The game was called after five innings due to the SCWSL’s 15-run mercy rule.
Rolling V (0-5) grabbed the lead in the top of the first inning when with leadoff batter Jen Young reached base and came around to score.
L&B Too (1-4) came back strong in the bottom of the first. The team went though the entire batting order and scored 11 times to take a commanding 11-1 advantage. Most of the L&B runs were scored by hitters who patiently drew walks from Rolling V’s rookie pitcher, who was trying her best.
In addition to hitting throughout the game, L&B Too played well on defense. The squad held Rolling V scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings.
L&B Too scored four runs in the second inning as Christa Sweeney and Megan Quinn each smashed a two-run double.
During the third inning, each team did its best to prevent each other from squad scoring and both succeeded.
In the bottom of the fourth, L&B Too continued to add runs to its sizeable lead. Rebekha Wilcox and Sweeney, who both smacked base hits, both crossed home plate on a double by Krysta VanWolde.
Melonie Cruz had a base hit to keep the inning going. The next batter, Mardette Wilcox, ripped a double, which allowed both VanWolde and Cruz to score.
Rolling V scored its second run of the evening in the top of the fifth. Anita Young was walked and Jenn Young had a base hit. Christine Loucks then stroked a base hit, which allowed Anita Young to cross home plate. After recording the third out of the frame to clinch their first victory of the season, the L&B Too players were ecstatic.
L&B Too Coach Steve Quinn was also very pleased with the outcome.
“It was very nice,” he said. “This is a first-year team and we are starting to come together as one.
“We also have five or six girls that haven’t played softball,” Coach Quinn added. “The girls had nice hits tonight. This game definitely gave the girls the confidence they needed.”