By Rob Potter
MONGAUP VALLEY — Softball games usually do not end in a tie.
But last Thursday night at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park in Mongaup Valley, nobody seemed to mind when the much anticipated “Alzheimer’s Softball Rumble” between Charlie’s Angels of the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League and the Thunder 102 Staff and Community All-Stars concluded with the score knotted at 15-15.
The Thunder 102 All-Stars rallied in the top of the seventh inning to turn a 15-5 deficit into a 15-15 tie. In the bottom of the seventh, Charlie’s Angels had the potential winning run at second base with two outs. But a fly ball to center field ended the inning with the score still even.
Rather than go into extra innings, both teams decided to call the game at that point and leave the score locked at 15-15.
While there was no decisive winner displayed by the lights on the center field scoreboard, the players on both squads could be considered winners for playing the game for a good cause.
For weeks prior to the contest, players from both teams collected donations and sponsorships for the charity event. When the final numbers were tallied, the teams had raised a total of $2,798 for the Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley.
“That’s a really pleasant amount,” said Les Kristt, who is the Honorary Chairman of the Memory Walk and other fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley.
On-air personalities and staff members from the popular local country radio station, members of the bands River’s Edge and Sommerville and representatives of several Sullivan County businesses and organizations comprised the Thunder 102 All-Stars team. The full roster included: Margaret Allen, Vince Benedetto, Paul Ciliberto, Tim Downs, Jodi Kane, Heidi Hewlett, Ken Hewlett, Danielle Martin, Doc Roberts, George Schmitt, Jerry Burns (Lorado’s), Eric Chaboty (Sullivan County Undersheriff), Dawn Corciere (American Red Cross), Tony Dance (River’s Edge), Alexis Eggleton (Sullivan County Legislature Aide), Mary Esparra (Times Herald-Record), Paul Greenberg (Liberty Mutual), Frank Godlewski (Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club), Regina Hensley (Mighty M Gaming), Christine Klein (Klein & Sons Logging), Katie Lomery (Gerry Foundation), Lisa Mills (Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce), Lou Monteleone (Eldred Preserve), Gary “O” (Thunder 102 Race Report) Glen Pontier (Gerry Foundation), Jeanne Sager (Sullivan County Democrat), Michael Schiff (Sullivan County Sheriff), Brian Seekamp (Seekamp Lumber), Barry Sommerville (Sommerville) and Al Stream (River’s Edge).
The Charlie’s Angels roster included: Deb Ackerley, Jessica Bradley, Christine Decker, Analey Dietrich, Shannon Dietrich, Cindy Ellmauer, Beth Fanning, Robyn Gannon, Terri Hess, Lisa Krom, Nicki Krom, Tonya Martin, Leanne Mangabang, Diane Staves, Shirley Townsend, Jo Walls and Sue Zieres.
Making a special appearance for Charlie’s Angels as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning was “Marla Hooch” a character from the baseball movie “A League of Their Own.”
“Marla,” who is also known as Ron Hewlett, reached base safely on a fielder’s choice.
“It was fun and it was challenging,” said Ciliberto, who served as captain of the Thunder 102 All-Stars. “Those ladies on the Charlie’s Angels team are great softball players.”
Ciliberto also noted that having his team arrive at Collins Park in two limousines was part of the pre-game strategy.
“We thought we would intimidate them by showing up in the limos – but it didn’t work,” he said with a smile.
Walls, the player/coach for Charlie’s Angels, said she and her teammates welcomed the opportunity to play for such a good cause.
“We are hoping to make it an annual event,” she said of the contest. “It was a lot of fun.”
In addition to the game, several raffles were held to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Sonny Bose won the 50/50 raffle, which was $168. He then graciously donated $100 of that prize money back to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Several local businesses also offered prizes or gift certificates for the raffles. They included: Dutch’s Tavern, Eldred Preserve, Holiday Mountain, Lodge in Rock Hill, Mighty M Gaming, Sureway Taxi and The Villa Roma.
The event organizers thanked all of the members of the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department for use of Collins Park for the evening.
Memory Walk Set for Sept.
Following the game, Kristt thanked everyone for attending the event.
Kristt, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the beginning of the game, also reminded the crowd about the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, which will take place on Sunday, September 17 at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center in Monticello.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m.
For more information on the walk, please call 794-3774.