By Rob Potter
LIBERTY — Friend’s Pub rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning on Wednesday night at Liberty Elementary School to win the Liberty Slo-Pitch Softball League “B” Division championship.
Friend’s Pub scored two runs in the frame to defeat Royal Associates, 11-10, in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series. Friend’s Pub prevailed in Game 1 of the series on Tuesday night at Liberty Elementary School.
On Wednesday night, Friend’s Pub faced a 10-9 deficit heading into its final at-bat. The first two batters of the inning, Aaron Bertholf and Patrick Clifford, reached base on an error and a single, respectively. Bertholf scored on a single by Frank DiCostanzo to even the score at 10-10.
After Adam Hauser singled to load the bases and the first out of the inning was recorded, Billy Wagner singled to left field. Clifford was able to score easily from third base on the hit, giving Friend’s Pub an 11-10 win and the division championship.
Royal Associates took a 10-9 lead in the top of the sixth inning. With Bobby Merton on first base and two outs, Greg Merola hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run.
Friend’s Pub held the lead in the early innings. After taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the team added four runs in the bottom of the second to increase its advantage to 6-0. In that frame, Louie DiCostanzo scored on a double by Wagner and Wagner and Kevin Brockner both crossed the plate when Bob Yakin Jr. doubled.
Royal Associates cut its deficit to a single run at 6-5 in the top of the third. Merola, Jason Rogers and Greg Merton all hit singles and scored in the frame.
In the top of the fourth, Royal Associates took an 8-6 lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Rogers singled to center field. Tommy Merton and Mike Merton both scored on the hit to give Royal Associates a 7-6 advantage.
The next batter, Greg Merton, singled to center field to bring John Wagner Jr. in to score.
Friend’s Pub got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fourth. Billy Wagner led off with a single and later scored on a base hit by Brockner.
Friend’s Pub moved ahead 9-8 by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Brett Youmans began the inning with a triple and scored the game-tying run on a sacrifice fly by Bertholf. Moments later, Eric Youmans crossed home plate with the go-ahead run on a single by Billy Wagner.
“We were behind, but we kept playing hard,” said Patrick Clifford who serves a Player/Coach for Friend’s Pub along with Louie DiCostanzo. “Our guys didn’t give up.
“Kevin Brockner pitched a great game for us tonight,” Clifford added.