Story by Eli Ruiz
MONTICELLO — Having traded lopsided victories, setting up a deciding game three in this Monticello Modified B Division Championship series, Monticello Chimney took a 12-8 lead into the final frame and broke the game wide open posting a 21-10 win over Ratner and Sons Paving to clinch the deciding game Thursday.
Powered by huge games from Terrence Hulse, who blasted two home runs along with a pair of doubles, and Wayne Fletcher who had a home run, triple and single ( a double short of the cycle), Monticello Chimney took an early lead. Fletcher – who combined with Hulse for 10 RBI – got Monticello Chimney on the board early as his triple in the top of the first inning scored Jimmy Snowden. Hulse followed with his first home run to give the team an early 3-0 lead.
Ratner Paving got on the board after opposing pitcher Ellie Patton walked Derek Blume followed by a double from C.C. Hinkley. Next came Jim “The Maestro” Piontec who’s triple to deep right scored Blume and Hinkley. Piontec came home on a sac- fly from Joe Meyer and the first inning would end with the teams tied 3-3.
In the second inning, it was Fletcher’s three run shot that gave Monticello Chimney a 6-3 lead, but Ratner Paving evened things up in the fourth when Hinkley drove in Brandon Katz with a single down the right field line.
Ratner Paving went to relief pitcher Chris Morston, after Hulse opened the fifth inning with his second homer to give Monticello Chimney back a lead they would not relinquish. Jimmy Snowden’s single scoring two runs followed by Chuck McAllistar’s steal of home base put Monticello Chimney in front 10-6.
In the final inning outburst, Chuck McAllistar reached second on an error and scored on Jimmy Snowden’s double. Morsten then walked Fletcher and, after a passed ball, advanced both Snowden and Fletcher, a single from Jeff Snowden drove in his cousin Jimmy Snowden.
Next came Hulse who quickly blasted a double off Morsten to score Fletcher. Greg Merola’s single scored two and Monticello Chimney would score four more runs in an epic final stanza to clinch the victory and the Monticello Modified B Division championship.
After the game Fletcher said, “we played smart today and our bats were on fire . . . this win feels really good.”