TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Fitness Factory players give each other high fives after their seventh inning 10-9-comeback win over Lewis Auto Parts on August 11. Fitness Factory took a 1-0 lead in the best of three series, which will send one of these teams into the Monticello Men’s softball finals.

Monticello Men’s Softball Playoffs

Fitness Factory lives a charmed life

Gritty guys in orange and blue find a way to win over Lewis Auto Parts, again

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY—It could have been billed as “The Clash of the Titans” but given the outcome of the first playoff game between Lewis Auto Parts and Fitness Factory on August 11, the game could more aptly be dubbed, “The Life of the Charmed.” For the third straight time this year—including both of their regular season meetings—Fitness Factory found a way to beat the heavy hitters of Lewis Auto Parts (15-3) by a single run and to keep their undefeated (16-0) streak alive.

Admittedly Lewis gave Fitness plenty of help. Despite getting a sterling start from hurler Tim ‘Chopper’ Ackermann, the Lewis defense often looked more like The Bad News Bears in the field than the crisp, slick super-squad many observers felt would win it all this season.

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Sullivan County Women’s Softball League Playoffs

Cooper Paint sweeps L+B Tack in playoffs

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY—The last time that Cooper Paint played L+B Tack on July 19, Cooper Paint needed an explosive final inning outburst to do in Tack, which was on its way to the season’s biggest upset. This time out with the playoffs underway on August 9, Cooper resolved to be less lackadaisical.

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Sullivan County Women’s Softball League Playoffs

Nugget moves on with wins over Cobblers

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY—The recent spate of thunderstorms may have caused power outages around the region but Nugget (13-6) suffers from no such problem. In the course of their two games with Cobblers (7-13), Nugget mounted a two-night assault that yielded 38 runs in their 17-12 and 21-6 victories. Meghan Kitson went three-for-three as Nugget’s leadoff batter, and she had plenty of company on the base paths. Rebecca Sykes smacked a two-run homer, Rosemary (Roe) Stubner had an RBI triple and Amanda Davis kicked in with four RBI on three hits.

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Also in this issue:

• Angels soar
• Hope springs eternal
• Free hats for racing fans