By Lori Brown
LIBERTY — July 7, 2006 – C&C Plumbing took on Royal Associates on Wednesday night in a Liberty Slo-Pitch League “B” Division game.
Each team’s offense had a good night, pounding out many hits and scoring several runs. However, the Royal Associates’ offense was a bit better, which allowed the team to post a 23-11 victory.
During the first inning, C&C Plumbing started off strong. The team scored eight runs during the frame.
Royal Associates took a stand against their opponent in the bottom of the first. Royal Associates scored five runs to narrow the C&C lead.
During the second inning, C&C Plumbing scored three runs to take an 11-5 advantage. Unfortunately for the C&C players, they were unable to score any more runs during the remaining innings.
C&C Plumbing prevented Royal Associates from scoring in the second inning, but Royal Associates made up for it during the rest of the game. In the bottom of the third, Royal Associates scored six runs to knot the score at 11-11.
Going into the fourth inning, both teams knew they needed to be strong on the field as well as offensively.
Royal Associates did just that, holding C&C Plumbing scoreless in the top of the fourth and then scoring four runs in the bottom of the frame to grab a 15-11 lead. Helping Royal Associates to grab a four-run advantage was Tommy Merton, who hit a double that allowed Frankie McFadden to cross home plate. In addition, Billy Destefano was able to hit Tommy Merton home and John Hamilton and Bill Helms each had an RBI.
Despite having the bases loaded with only one out in the top of the fifth, C&C Plumbing was unable to score. Royal Associates turned a double play to end the inning promptly.
C&C Plumbing prevented Royal from scoring in the bottom of the frame.
In the top of the sixth, Royal Associates turned another double play to end the inning in a snap.
On the other hand, Royal Associates added eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead. Tommy Merton began the inning with a single and his teammates followed his lead. Cliff Manning ripped a base hit to bring Tommy Merton in to score. Andy Arias slammed a ball down the third base line to send Billy Destefano home. John Hamilton then picked up a pair of RBI by singling home Cliff Manning and Andy Arias.
With bases loaded, Bob Merton stepped up to the plate. He stroked a base hit, which allowed teammates Mike Merton and Greg Merton to cross home plate.
Tommy Merton, who started the inning, came up to bat again. This time he was able to record two RBI as his single brought home teammates Chris McCarthy and Jon Kurtz. He brought home Chris McCarthy and Jon Kurtz.
Royal Associates pitcher Tommy Merton and his brother Mike Merton, who is the team’s catcher, said they were happy with the way the team played. They noted that their squad did not allow C&C Plumbing to score in five of the contest’s seven innings. The Merton brothers also were pleased that the Royal Associates’ offense was strong after the first couple of innings.