By Laura Stabbert
CALLICOON Matthew’s on Main beat Sutphen East last week in a three-game finals series to win the 2009 Sullivan County Beer League championship.
After losing 13-9 on Wednesday night Matthew’s had to win both Game 2 on Thursday night and Game 3 on Friday evening at the former Delaware Valley Central School on Route 97 north of Callicoon to come home with the first place trophy.
Going into the top of the seventh inning of Thursday night’s contest Sutphen East held a 9-5 lead and was poised to sweep the series.
With one out, Craig Smith of Matthew’s on Main singled, followed by a nice hit to center field by Garrett Owen. The next batter, Glen Rosenberger, hit a ground ball to shortstop. What looked to be a potential double play ball to end the game instead turned into a dead ball on player interference along the third base line.
Smith was tagged by a Sutphen East infielder after being caught in a rundown between third base and home. But when the umpire ruled interference instead of an out, Smith scored and Owen and Rosenberger advanced to third base and second base, respectively
Owen then scored off a single from Brian Buday, making the score 9-7.
With bases loaded, Joe Meyer delivered for Matthew’s. He hit the ball deep into the outfield to drive in all three of his teammates and give Matthew’s a 10-9 lead.
Meyer then scored off Scott Hamlin’s single before Sutphen East could end the inning, but the damage had been done.
Sutphen East was unable to score in the bottom of the seventh and Matthew’s recorded an 11-9 victory.
Friday night’s deciding game was another high scoring affair as Matthew’s took the title with a 13-7 victory.