By Lori Brown
LIBERTY — August 11, 2006 – Cobbler’s Bombers defeated Mongaup Technology (TEK), 15-6, on Wednesday night in a Liberty Slo-Pitch Softball League “A” Division game at the Liberty Elementary School field.
The game started off slow, but ended with jolts of powerful hits from Cobbler’s.
In the top of the first, Cobbler’s Keith Shaddock started off the contest with a double to right field. Moments later, Shaddock scored on a single by John Rusin. But Rusin got himself caught in a rundown between first base and second base. TEK pitcher Frankie DiConstanzio tagged Rusin out as he was heading back to first base.
In the bottom of the first, TEK’s Louie DiConstanzio was walked and then Bill Danchak hit a home run.  Danchak’s blast gave TEK a 2-1 lead. 
Cobbler’s defense tightened up and prevented TEK from scoring any more runs in the frame.
The first two Cobbler’s batters in the top of the second, Will Smith and Steve Vlaovich, each hit a home run. The two round-trippers allowed Cobbler’s to retake the lead, 3-2.
TEK held together and got the next three batters out to end the inning.
After holding TEK scoreless in the bottom of the second, Cobbler’s added to its lead in the top of the third. Rusin smacked an RBI single to right field to give Cobbler’s a 4-2 advantage.
TEK answered with a run in the bottom of the third. Kevin Brockner crossed home plate on a double by Pat Clifford.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Will Merchant of Cobbler’s hit a triple. He scored moments later when Shane Conner singled, which gave Cobbler’s a 5-3 lead.
TEK took the lead in the bottom of the frame, however. With the bases loaded and one out, John Harting hit a single to bring home teammates Gary Davitt and Bill Danchak. Brockner then hit a single to score Doug Johnson, which gave TEK a 6-5 advantage.
The score remained 6-5 in favor of TEK until the sixth inning.
Cobbler’s regained the lead by scoring twice in the top of the sixth. Jason Legenos ripped a triple to right field. Rusin slammed a two-run homer to give Cobbler’s a 7-6 lead.  Smith and Vlaovich hit back-to-back singles to keep the inning going. Smith scored moments later on an error.
Cobbler’s held TEK scoreless in the bottom of the sixth before adding some insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
Sam Millheiser started the inning off with a single and Matt Stoddard followed with a single of his own. Shaddock hit a double, which allowed Millheiser to score. Rusin then walked to load the bases.
Stoddard and Shaddock crossed the plate on a double by Mark Logan to extend the Cobbler’s lead to 10-6. Smith hit a single, scoring Rusin and Logan. Smith crossed the plate on a triple by Vlaovich. Merchant hit a ground-rule double, which allowed Vlaovich to score the game’s final run.
With the victory, Cobbler’s improved its record to 21-2. The team has two games left in the regular season and is currently in second place in the league’s “A” Division.
TEK fell to 12-11 on the season. The team is in sixth place in the “A” Division.