By Rob Potter
MONGAUP VALLEY — August 11, 2006 – The Charlie’s Angels advanced to the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League “A” Division championship series with a victory over Dutch’s Bar/T&C Tanning Salon on Wednesday night at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park in Mongaup Valley.
Charlie’s Angels used a nine-run sixth inning to record a 14-6 victory.
The win, coupled with a 16-4 triumph on Tuesday night at the Beaverkill Valley Fire Department Field in Lew Beach, allowed Charlie’s Angels to sweep the best-of-three game “A” Division semifinal series.
Charlie’s Angels will now face Cooper Paint in the “A” Division championship series. The first game of that best-of-three title series is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Monday night at Collins Park.
Dutch’s/T&C did its best to extend the semifinal series to a third and deciding game, however.
After Shannon Dietrich of Charlie’s Angels hit a two-run, bases-loaded single in the top of the fifth inning of Wednesday night’s game to give her team a 5-2 advantage, Dutch’s/T&C responded in the bottom of the frame.
With one out, Shannon Holland reached base on an error. The next batter, Ashley Matthews, also reached on error, which put runners on the corners. Kim Bradley then ripped a single to left field, which allowed Holland to score.
After Charlie’s Angels pitcher Lisa Krom recorded a strikeout, Dutch’s/T&C continued its rally. Justine Artus hit a bloop single to left field to bring Matthews in to score.
Dutch’s/T&C tied the game at 5-5 when Artus scored on a single by Tini Kaiser.
But Charlie’s Angels answered the Dutch’s/T&C rally by scoring nine times in the top of the sixth.
Lisa Krom led off the frame with a double and scored moments later when Christine Decker singled.
The next batter, Cindy Ellmauer, reached base on an error. Nicki Krom crossed home plate on the miscue, giving Charlie’s Angels a 7-5 lead.
Terri Hess and Deb Ackerley followed with RBI singles to extend the lead to 9-5.
Later in the inning, Robyn Gannon ripped an RBI single and Lisa Krom smacked a two-run single.
By the time the third out was recorded to end the frame, Charlie’s Angels had a 14-5 advantage.
Dutch’s/T&C tried to rally again in the bottom of the seventh.
Holland and Matthews began the inning with back-to-back singles. Bradley then hit a fielder’s choice to shortstop. Matthews was forced out at second base on the play, but Bradley made it to first base to put runners on the corners with only one out.
Chris Carpenter then smashed a double down the left field line, which allowed Holland to score and make it an eight-run game.
But Krom got the next two batters to fly out to end the game and preserve the victory for Charlie’s Angels.
Angels Win First Game
Charlie’s Angels ended up taking Tuesday night’s series opener by a final score of 16-4.
But the team had to overcome an early deficit to do so.
Dutch’s/T&C took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, thanks to a pair of walks, two singles and an RBI double by Lisa Benjamin.
Charlie’s Angels responded by scoring six runs in the bottom of the first. Leadoff batter Jo Walls singled and Jessica Bradley got on base thanks to an error. Both players scored when the next batter, Leanne Mangabang, hit a triple.
Tonya Martin then singled, which allowed Mangabang to cross home plate.
Dietrich then slammed a two-run homer to give Charlie’s Angels a 6-4 lead.
Charlie’s Angels added to that advantage in the bottom of the second. Walls, Martin, Lisa Krom, Ackerley and Nicki Krom all recorded RBI singles in the frame as Charlie’s Angels took an 11-4 lead.
Lisa Krom, who shut out Dutch’s/T&C after the first inning, earned the win for Charlie’s Angels. Lisa Benjamin took the loss for Dutch’s/T&C.
Dietrich and Mangabang led the Charlie’s Angels offense in the contest. Dietrich belted two home runs and had four RBI, while Mangabang had the aforementioned two-run triple in the first inning.