By Rob Potter
MONGAUP VALLEY — August 24, 2007 — A little rain could not dampen the spirits of the softball players and fans who gathered Monday night at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park in Mongaup Valley.
Despite a cool, steady mist, Charlie’s Angels and the Thunder 102 All-Stars battled on the diamond in the second annual “Alzheimer’s Softball Rumble.”
Unlike last year, when the inaugural rumble ended in a 15-15 tie, Monday night’s game had a decisive winner. Charlie’s Angels, which has been one of the top teams in the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League (SCWSL) for several years, withstood a late comeback attempt by the Thunder 102 All-Stars to record an 11-8 victory.
In the top of the sixth, Charlie’s Angels, a very close-knit squad whose members consider themselves family, enjoyed a 9-5 lead.
But the Thunder 102 All-Stars reduced the Angels’ lead to 9-8 thanks to an RBI double by Josh Dance, an RBI single by Brian Seekamp and a sacrifice fly by Paul Ciliberto.
Charlie’s Angels expanded its lead in the bottom of the sixth. Nicki Krom ripped a double to deep left center field, which allowed teammates Cindy Ellmauer and Terri Hess to score and give Charlie’s Angels an 11-8 advantage.
Charlie’s Angels pitcher Sue Zieres allowed a leadoff single to Dan Briggs in the top of the seventh. Zieres then set down the next three Thunder 102 All-Stars in order to seal her team’s win.
Pacing the Charlie’s Angels’ offense were Krom, who went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, Analey Dietrich and Leanne Mangabang. Dietrich went 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored and Mangabang was 3-for-3, including an RBI double in the fifth inning which broke a 5-5 tie.
On-air personalities and staff members from the popular local country radio station, members of the band River’s Edge and representatives of several Sullivan County businesses and organizations comprised the Thunder 102 All-Star Team. The full roster included: Eddie Ayala (Royal Limo), Lil Ayala (Royal Limo), Vince Benedetto, Dan Briggs, Paul Ciliberto, Jay Coe (River’s Edge), Tony Dance (River’s Edge), Josh Dance, Alexis Eggleton (Sullivan County Legislature Aide), Sue Goodrich, Heidi Hewlett, Tony Leone (Liberty Fire Dept.), Anthony Mangiello (Kings in the Kitchen), Costas Mangiello (Kings in the Kitchen), Chris Masters (Bubba’s BBQ), Lisa Mills (Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce), Lou Monteleone (Eldred Preserve), Rick Pagen (Kings in the Kitchen), Chrissy Powers (Preacherman Plumbing and Heating), Anna Puleo (Preacherman Plumbing and Heating), Dave Robinson, Mike Sakell, Brian Seekamp (Seekamp Lumber), Julia Shake (Liberty Fire Dept.), Al Stream (River’s Edge) Dr. Richard Stein, DVM (PetCare Animal Hospital) and Thomas Verastro (Seekamp Lumber).
The Charlie’s Angels roster included: Deb Ackerley, Jessica Bradley, Analey Dietrich, Shannon Dietrich, Cindy Ellmauer, Robyn Gannon, Terri Hess, Lisa Krom, Nicki Krom, Tonya Martin, Leanne Mangabang, Jo Walls and Sue Zieres.
Umpires Mary Feusner and Paul Orr donated their time to officiate the contest.
Terri Hess, who is the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce President, helped to organize the second annual fundraising softball game between Charlie’s Angels and the Thunder 102 All-Stars. After the game, she noted that the Angels had raised $816 for the Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley.
In addition, Hess noted that tickets sold during the game for a 50/50 raffle raised $40, which increased the evening’s total to $856.
“Everyone did a great job to help the Alzheimer’s Association,” Hess said. “Thank you to Dennis Dietrich and everyone at the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department for hosting tonight’s game at Collins Park.”
Masters invited all of the players to enjoy food and drinks at Bubba’s BBQ after the game. Many of the players from both teams accepted Masters’ invitation and they helped to raise an additional $324 for the Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley by placing money in a special donation bucket at Bubba’s BBQ.