By Rob Potter
MONGAUP VALLEY — July 10, 2007 — The Cooper Paint team registered two victories last week in Sullivan County Women’s Softball League (SCWSL) games at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park.
On Tuesday, July 3, Cooper Paint defeated International Contractors Corp., 21-0. The game was called after five innings of play due to the SCWSL’s 15-run mercy rule.
After a scoreless first inning, Cooper Paint grabbed a commanding 14-0 lead in the top of the second. Key hits in the frame included two-run singles by Rachelle Irwin and Pat Shuart and RBI doubles by Kate Yaun and Denise VanKeuren.
In the third inning, Ally McCarthy and Lori Brown each hit an RBI double as Cooper Paint increased its lead to 16-0.
ICC’s best chance to score a run occurred in the bottom of the fourth. Lynda Bracken led off the inning by hitting a triple to left field.
Bracken then attempted to cross home plate when the next batter grounded out. But the first baseman, McCarthy, quickly threw the ball to catcher Leyna Madison, who tagged out Bracken.
Then on Friday night, Cooper Paint topped The Nugget, 19-4, in another game which ended early because of the SCWSL’s 15-run mercy rule.
Leading the Cooper Paint offense in that victory were Amanda Irwin, who went 4-for-4, McCarthy (3-for-4), Erin Shuart (home run), Pat Shuart (triple) and Brown (home run).
Amanda Irwin also picked up the victory as she pitched the last three innings in relief of starter Nat Cillis.
With the win, Cooper Paint improved to 11-2 on the season.
Mr. Willy’s rallies
in seventh inning
In Friday night’s second SCWSL game at Collins Park, Mr. Willy’s overcame an early deficit to tie Dutch’s/T&C Tanning in the fourth inning.
Mr. Willy’s then won the game by scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Going into its final at-bat, Mr. Willy’s trailed 11-10.
The first batter of the frame, Beth Cogswell, hit an infield single. Melissa Hess hit into a fielder’s choice and safely crossed first base as Cogswell was forced out at second base.
Kim Jay then ripped a triple to deep left field, which allowed Hess to cross home plate and tie the score at 11-11.
Jay scored the game-winning run moments later when Tiffany Hauser hit a sacrifice fly to center field.
Dutch’s/T&C held a 10-2 lead in the first three-and-a-half innings.
But Mr. Willy’s tied the game at 10-10 in the bottom of the fourth. One of the key hits for Mr. Willy’s in that frame was a three-run triple by Lisa Dowling.
In the fifth, Dutch’s/T&C took a 11-10 advantage thanks to an RBI single by Justine Whitcomb.
Whitcomb also hit a two-run triple to help Dutch’s/T&C take its early eight-run lead.
Mr. Willy’s improved its record to 7-2, while Dutch’s/T&C fell to 6-7.