Eli Ruiz | Democrat Richie Walker drills a single in the fifth inning as Darder’s tried to mount a comeback against Ronnie’s Ringers in the championship game of the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department Softball Tournament. Ronnie’s held on to to win 12-7.

Ronnie’s Ringers douse Darders in WSSFD tourney

Story by Eli Ruiz
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — August 13, 2013 — This year's White Sulphur Springs Fireman's Park Softball Tournament attracted 14 teams and hundreds of spectators for two days of ball, beer and barbecue.
Besides the abundant food and beverages, there were several raffles, and once the smoke cleared it was Darder’s out of Ferndale and Ronnie's Ringers of Damascus, PA. who were left to battle it out in the championship round Sunday evening.
Ronnie’s leveraged an early 9-0 lead behind hot bats from Billy Nordenhold, Eric Sandercock, Justin Collins and Drew Bondle, and managed to fend off a fourth inning rally attempt from Darder’s en-route to a 12-7 championship win.
Up 5-0 in the second inning, Mead Sandercock scorched a single all the way down the right-field line scoring Ken "Motowm" Morris and Justin Collins. Drew Bondle dropped a triple just inside foul territory in deep right field scoring two and establishing the 9-0 lead.
Down 10-2 in the fifth, Darder’s bats came alive behind Brian Darder's single to center scoring Ritchie Walker. Jeremy Degori's blooper to right scored Steve "Moose" Musso and was followed by a three-run homer from Mark Tesseyman to bring Darder’s to within 10-7.
But that's as close as Darder’s would come as Ronnie's pitcher, Bob Head retired the next two batters, cutting the Darder’s rally short, and essentially ending the game for the men from Ferndale.
Ronnie's rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run double from Mead Sandercock.
Ronnie's Ringers won all three of its games on its way to Sunday's championship defeating Neversink FD and R&H Gorr in the first two rounds.
"It's probably my favorite tournament," offered Collins. "Hope to be back in this same position next season."
Town of Liberty Supervisor Charlie Barbuti, who was in attendance for the championship game, said, "Perfect day for a ball game, and it's doubly nice to see so many people out today."
Proceeds from the annual White Sulphur Springs Firemen's Park Softball Tournament go to the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department.