Monticello Men’s Softball League

Mustangs ride herd over shorthanded Sutphen East

Poor defense, lack of thumpers and ejection do in Sutphen East

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY - As the Mustangs continue to play fiery softball in their run for a playoff spot, the men in red found themselves in fifth place overall with a 7-4 record on July 10 as they encountered another playoff contender in Sutphen East, who came in at 6-5.

Under ordinary circumstances, this should have been a hard-fought close game, but Sutphen East was reeling from the absence of key hitters in Tim and John Mills, and other absentees Reed Barnofsky and Nick Maori.

The early ejection of Sutphen pitcher Irv Rundle for arguing balls and strikes with the plate umpire made matters worse. Left fielder Joe Staudt noted after the game that the team’s poor defense was the most glaring factor in Sutphen’s 16-5 loss.

Unstated by Staudt, but obviously a factor in Sutphen’s uncharacteristic poor showing, was the after effects of recent catastrophic flooding in Livingston Manor that nearly claimed the life of Sutphen shortshop Eric Staudt, who was pulled from the turbulent waters by his brother, Joe, and friends. The Mills brothers were key in a number of rescues and, along with other firemen and community volunteers, worked relentlessly to help the victims of the disaster.

As for the Mustangs, the team, comprised of many firemen from Port Jervis, survived the flood as well, although Port was spared much of the devastation wrought on Livingston Manor and other towns in Sullivan County. The Mustangs have shown of late that they can hit and field well against tough opposition.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning in a rally that began with leadoff hitter Mike Sobolowski reaching on an E-9. A walk to Jerry Sacco was followed by an RBI triple from Josh Davies and a run-plating single by Mike Schultz. Bill VanHorn knocked in a run, as did Dom Cicelase.

Sutphen East got one run back in the bottom of the frame. Joe Staudt led off with a single and his older brother, Rob, drove him in.

The Mustangs added a pair of runs in the second with a homer by Gary Predmore, and a passed ball allowed Tom Butler to score after his double. Butler had reached third on a fly out by Sobolowski.

Gritty Sutphen East fought back for two runs in the bottom of the second. Juan Dendariarena led off with a single and Joe Staudt’s triple brought him in. A passed ball plated the second run.

The Mustangs never slowed their pace. They added two more runs in the third inning and got to an 8-3 lead with RBI from John Hall, Van Horn and Cicalese.

After holding Sutphen scoreless in the bottom of the third, the Mustangs put the real hurt on with an eight-run, two-out rally in the fourth inning. An E-9 to Sobolowski opened the door and walks issued by relief pitcher Chuck McAllister added fuel to the fire. Schultz hit a two-run single, followed by a two-run homer from Hall. Van Horn reached third on an E-9 and was singled in by Cicalese. Dan Webber’s two-run single pounded in the final nail.

Sutphen got a two-run double from Rob Staudt in the fifth, but couldn’t overcome the 11-run deficit, thereby falling 16-5 by the 10-run rule.

Sutphen East bounced back later in the week with a thrashing of first-place Lewis Auto Parts.

The Mustangs, now 8-4, continue to ascend the ladder and vie for one of the four at-large playoff berths. Port Jervis rivals Ma-n-Pa’s remain in the mix, as does Sullivan Sports.

It should be an interesting couple of weeks with triple headers abounding to make up for weeks of rained-out games.