By Rob Potter
DAMASCUS, PA — The Delaware Valley Little Fellows League (DVLFL) held its 50th annual All-Star Game on Sunday afternoon at the Conklin Hill (Pa.) baseball field.
Dozens of parents and family members looked on and cheered for the young players as the North Team squared off against the South Team.
After seven innings of spirited competition, the South Team emerged victorious by the final score of 17-6.
The North Team included players from the Narrowsburg Cardinals (sponsored by Gombita Logging), Cochecton Phillies (sponsored by Freda Realty) and Conklin Hill Mets (sponsored by Bennett & Son Recycling). The team was guided by Coach Mike Gombita and Assistant Coach George Muller.
The North All-Stars were: Leean Dailey (Mets), Zach Gager (Mets), Ryan Highhouse (Mets), Sean Highhouse (Mets), Roger Kenyon (Phillies), Jiron Kevii (Phillies), Max Kraft (Cardinals), Sam Kraft (Cardinals), Tate Kraft (Cardinals), Josiah Jones (Phillies), Dakota Long (Phillies), Robert McCormick (Mets), Cory Muller (Cardinals), Spencer Peer (Phillies) and Garrett Senft (Cardinals).
The South Team included players from the Narrowsburg Dodgers (sponsored by G.S. Plumbing & Heating), Narrowsburg Braves (sponsored by Sonny’s Service Center) and Cochecton Center Giants (sponsored by Cochecton Oil Company). The team was guided by Coach Greg Stevenson, Assistant Coach Rob Taylor and Assistant Coach Rob Zaccari.
The South All-Stars were: Amberly Chmura (Giants), Nick DeGori (Giants), Nick Grossman (Dodgers), Kyle Hector (Dodgers), Bella Kent (Giants), Tommy Kent (Giants), Kyle Kerkoulas (Braves), Liinza Koradis (Dodgers), Jake Krentz (Braves), Luke Krentz (Braves), Cory Meckle (Giants), Sean Mullins (Braves), Hanri Padu (Dodgers), Ranj Padu (Dodgers) and Dan Paparella (Braves).
After two scoreless innings, the South took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Luke Krentz scored on a single by Sean Mullins.
The South added five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Ranj Padu had an RBI single and Kyle Kerkoulas hit a two-run single to help the South extend its lead to 6-0.
In the top of the fifth, the South took an 8-0 advantage thanks to Padu’s RBI single and Krentz’s sacrifice fly.
The North got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth.The first batter of the frame, Sean Highhouse, scored on a base hit by Tate Kraft.
The North scored three more times in the inning as Ryan Highhouse had a two-run double and then scored on an error.
In the top of the sixth, the South took a 9-4 advantage. Liinza Koradis scored when Tommy Kent grounded out.
The North pulled to within three runs at 9-6 in the bottom of the sixth. The key hit in the frame was an RBI triple by Tate Kraft.
The South took a commanding 17-6 lead in the top of the seventh, however. Hanri Padu hit a two-run single and then scored on an error to make it a 12-6 game.
Later in the inning, Kent had an RBI double and Kyle Hector added an RBI single.
The South scored its final three runs on an error, a fielder’s choice and a bases-loaded walk.
Following the game, Tate Kraft was named the Most Valuable Player for the North and Nick Grossman was named the Most Valuable Player for the South.
The league also honored its top three teams from the recently completed season. The Dodgers, led by Coach Greg Stevenson, went undefeated to earn the first place trophy. The Cardinals, led by Coach Mike Gombita, finished second. The Braves, led by Coach Rob Zaccari, placed third.
“It was a good year,” DVLFL President Rob Taylor said. “We had a lot of new kids join the league.”
Taylor noted that about 65 kids participated in the league this season.
He said that the DVLFL welcomes new players for the 2010 season. The league is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 who live in either Sullivan County or Wayne County, Pa.
For more information, please visit the league’s Web site at www.leaguelineup.com\dvlfl.