By Rob Potter
DAMASCUS, PA — July 14, 2006 – Two big innings allowed the “North” to defeat the “South” in last Friday evening’s Delaware Valley Little Fellows League (DVLFL) All-Star Game.
The North scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and five runs in the bottom of the sixth to post a 12-2 victory in the game, which was held at the Damascus Community Field.
The North squad consisted of all-star players who were selected from three DVLFL teams – C. Neer & Sons R.V. Sales Cardinals, Hansen Excavating Phillies and Roche’s Garage Mets. The team’s players were: Mason Berrian (Cardinals), David Cirallo (Mets), Tyler Goda (Cardinals), Michael Gombita (Cardinals), Ryan Highhouse (Mets), Nathan Houghtaling (Cardinals), Caleb Jones (Phillies), Ricky Kenyon (Cardinals), Chris Neer (Cardinals), D.J. Pallis (Cardinals) and Johnny Smith (Mets).
Coaches for the North team were Chuck Neer and Dave Pallis.
The South team consisted of all-star players who were chosen from four DVLFL teams – Beth’s Country Store Braves, Cochecton Mills Yankees, Cochecton Oil Giants and Kuta’s Auto Supply Dodgers. The team’s players were: Owen Andrews (Braves), Bradley Gruber (Yankees), Brandon Kent (Giants), Karl Knecht (Dodgers), Richard Lander (Braves), Jackson Mann (Braves), Ryan Maree (Braves), J.J. McGrath (Dodgers), Forest Mohn (Dodgers), Natalie O’Reilly (Yankees), Patrick Pierce (Giants), Gregory Stevenson (Dodgers), Katie Taylor (Giants) and Kyle Welsh (Giants).
Coaches for the South team were Peter Pierce, Robert Taylor and Robert Zaccari.
The North took the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning. D.J. Pallis scored on a double by Houghtaling to give the North a 3-2 advantage.
The North extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth. Cirallo scored on an error and Berrian crossed home plate on an infield single by Smith to make it a 5-2 game. D.J. Pallis then smashed a double to center field, which gave the North a 7-2 advantage.
In the bottom of the sixth, the North added some insurance runs. Smith ripped an RBI triple to left field, while Neer and Goda each had an RBI double as the North took a 10-run lead.
The South’s Brandon Kent led off the top of the seventh with a single. But North pitcher Neer got a groundout and two strikeouts to end the game.
The South took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, O’Reilly walked. She scored when the next batter, McGrath, singled to right center field.
That lead did not last for long, however, as the North scored twice the bottom of the first. With two runners on base, Houghtaling hit an infield single to shortstop. Smith crossed the plate on the play to tie the contest at 1-1. The next batter, Neer, grounded out, but D.J. Pallis was able to score on the out to give the North a 2-1 advantage.
The South tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the third. With one out, Lander walked and promptly stole second base. He scored when McGrath ripped a double to deep right center field.
Peter Pierce, who in addition to being a coach serves as the DVLFL President, was pleased that the weather cooperated so that players, coaches and family members could enjoy the all-star evening.
“It was a good game,” he said.
Following the contest, the coaches held a brief awards ceremony.
The North MVP, as selected by the South coaches, was Jones. The South MVP, as chosen by the North coaches, was Gruber.
Pierce and his fellow coaches then presented a trophy to each of the all-star players.
Finally, the coaches recognized the top teams from the recently completed DVLFL regular season by handing out trophies to each member of those squads. The Giants finished in first place, the Braves and Cardinals tied for second place and the Dodgers took third place.