TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Renegade Nate Heinly dives back to first as Mike Peck applies a late tag. (Click for larger image)

Renegades repeat as champs in teener finals

By RICHARD A. ROSS

Game one: Renegades 12, Chiefs 10

Renegades hold on to win opener

BEACH LAKE, PA — The Renegades may have won both regular season games against the Chiefs, but they knew they were contending against a tough team. Prior to the first game of the championship best of three series on July 15, Renegades coach Bill Phillips said, “whichever team makes the fewest mistakes will win.”

Chiefs’ coach Joe Curreri concurred. “We made some errors against them that cost us those games,” he said. This would be the Chiefs’ first trip to the finals in Curreri’s memory. Oddly, it seemed that each team was vying for the right to make the most, not the fewest errors.

The game was marked by high scoring innings, come from behind rallies and a pitched battle between home plate umpire Bob Spaulding and Chiefs’ coach Joe Curreri, which culminated in Curreri’s ejection in the top of the sixth inning.

Renegades pitcher Nate Heinly got the first three Chiefs to ground out in the top of the first. Renegade Ryan Phillips led off with a single and then stole second. He scored on Nate Heinly’s single giving Remax a 1-0 lead. Poor base running hurt the Chiefs in the first inning.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Renegades got two more runs on a double by Mike Felsman, a walk by Brett Peterson and a two run single by Ryan Phillips. Curreri gathered his players together to rally them, and the Chiefs rebounded with a five-run third inning that was abetted by pitcher Nate Heinly’s two-run throwing error. The Renegades had made five errors and the Chiefs led 5-3.

The resilient Renegades came back with a four-run third inning capped by Mike Kutch’s three-run single. After three innings, the Renegades led 7-5. They added five more runs in the bottom of the fifth. The last two were walked in with bases loaded as reliever Will O’Brien struggled with his control.

During the top of the sixth inning, umpire Spaulding ordered the Chiefs to the dugout, objecting to comments he claimed to have heard. When Curreiri came out to clarify the situation, he was summarily ejected from the game. Curreri reacted incredulously and in his angered state muttered what Spaudling construed as a curse under his breath, at which point Spaulding said that the Chiefs had forfeited the game. League President Jim Harrington was able to get the umpires back and the game continued.

The Chiefs staged a big rally in the top of the seventh inning scoring five runs off relievers Steven Ace, until Wade Rickard was able to get Will O’Brien to strike out with the bases loaded. The Renegades won the first of the best of three games by the score of 12-10.

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Chiefs mob Steve Daley after he hit a monstrous home run in game two to tie the score. Dan Knecht hit a grand slam to win it for the Chiefs. (Click for larger image)

Game two: Chiefs 10, Renegades 6

Dramatic seventh inning homers by Daley and Knecht propel win

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Renegades jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on July 16, parlaying a single by Dusty Roberts, an RBI double by Nate Heinly and a sacrifice fly by Tony Masucci.

In the second, the Chiefs exploded for four runs. Daniel Knecht and Nick McKormick each drove in two runs as the Chiefs touched up Steven Ace for four hits. A hit batsman and a walk helped to set up the rally. Dusty Roberts came on in relief of Ace and was able to get out of the inning without further damage.

The Renegades got one run back in the top of the 3rd after a leadoff double by Brad Peterson and an RBI single by Nate Heinly. Will O’Brien had held the Renegades in check until the fifth inning when it looked as if the Pennsylvania team would pull away. They plated three runs on RBIs by Dusty Roberts, Tony Masucci, and Steven Ace. The Renegades took a 6-4 lead that looked like it might stand up. Then came the seventh inning dramatics.

After Mike Prunka reached on an error, Steve Daley hit an absolute moonshot into the woods in left field off of Nate Heinly. The two-run blast tied the game but the Chiefs weren’t finished. A walk, a double and another walk loaded the bases for Dan Knecht who then connected. His blast sailed out over the left fielder’s head and the grand slam gave the exuberant Chiefs a renewed life as the series was tied at one game apiece.

Game three: Renegades 6, Chiefs 2

Fine pitching and good defense pay dividends in Renegades consecutive title

HONESDALE, PA — The third game started out as a nail biter. Mike Prunka of the Chiefs pitched one of his best games, mixing fastballs and curves to keep the dangerous Renegade hitters off balance. Nate Heinly of the Renegades was sharp too. After two innings the score remained tied at zero.

In the top of the third, Wade Rickard hit a long double to left. An RBI single by Ryan Phillips, two misplayed throws by the Chiefs and a bobbled grounder gave the Renegades their second run.

In the bottom of the third, the Chiefs got one run back after a lead off single by O’Brien, a walk by Daley and an RBI single by Mike Peck.

Prunka remained on the mound for the Chiefs and continued to pitch well while the Renegades rotated their pitchers using Heinly, Phillips and Roberts all of whom were very effective.

The Chiefs got two runs in the sixth and another two in the seventh on hits by Masucci and Peterson respectively. The Chiefs got only one back in the last frame as the Renegades went on to win 6-2. They celebrated their second consecutive Babe Ruth teeners’ title.

Coach Bill Phillips said, “we had some sore arms after the last couple of days and tried to match up our pitchers with their hitters.” Phillips felt that fine defense was also key. Shortstop Mike Kutch made some great plays showing his range and fine arm.

Coach Curreri was proud of his team as was coach Prunka. ‘It’s a great learning experience,” he said. Both teams deserve to be commended for their fine play and good sportsmanship. It was a great series.

See more images from the teener finals here..

	Contributed photo by Lisa Lander Megan Kean, 13, from Glen Spey, left, Gerry McNamara of the Syracuse Orangemen National Championship team and Sarah Lander, 13, from Narrowsburg all worked hard at Hoop City basketball camp. (Click for larger image)

Local girls hone their skills at Hoop City

By RICHARD A. ROSS

DUNMORE, PA — Sarah Lander of Narrowsburg and Megan Kean of Glen Spey went to Hoop City camp for a week and had an opportunity to work with Gerry McNamara, whose three point shot iced the win for the Orangemen over the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2003 NCAA finals.

Kean won a plaque for being the foul shooting champ for the week, and Lander won plaques for being Knock Out champion and Hot Shot champion.

Both girls got a chance to play against McNamara in a 2-on-1 and lost in the final minute.

Basketball season might be a few months off, but kids who are serious about the sport are working on it way before then.

Runners prepare for 5K on River Road

CALLICOON, NY — The Delaware Youth Center will hold the 5K River Run along the scenic Delaware River on Saturday, July 26.

Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. in front of the Fleet Bank on River Road. The race is open all, young and young at heart. The fee is $15 per participant. Beverages and snacks will be provided after the race.

For more information call 845/887-5155.