SCWSL ‘A’ Division Playoffs

Cooper Paint applies first coat versus Charlie’s Angels

Good pitching, timely hitting and fielding miscues are a winning combination

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY - The script appears identical in a reprise of last year’s epic duels between Cooper Paint and Charlie’s Angels. But Cooper Paint, gladdened by their game-one playoff 5-3 win over their arch rivals in the ‘A’ Division opener of the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League, would like to see some script editing done from here on in.

Last year, after going undefeated in the regular season and taking the series opener by the score of 13-10, Cooper went on to lose the final two games to Charlie’s 11-10 and 14-6 as the Angel’s soared to the ‘A’ Division title.

This year, Cooper Paint repeated its perfect regular season (19-0) and once again sits poised to deliver the knockout punch to Charlie’s Angels. For their part, the Halos are hoping history repeats itself.

In game one of the three-game series on August 14, Charlie’s Angels got out to a 2-0 first inning lead. Cooper Paint pitcher Natalie Cillis issued walks to Jo Walls and Tonya Martin, Leanne Mangabang banged a single to load the bases and Lisa Krom smacked a two-run single for the lead.

Cooper Paint took the lead back with a three-run first inning, sparked by a lead-off homer from Jen Wright, an RBI single from Amanda Cox and an E-4 that allowed Leyna Madison to drive in the third run.

The Angels tied it up in the top of the third as Mangabang scored on an E-6.

Cooper Paint fielded the ball well from there on, unlike their counterparts who looked uncharacteristically shaky in the field. In the sixth inning with Cooper Paint leading by a single run, Cillis recorded all three put outs, including a blistering line drive back to the mound from Shannon Dietrich. Cooper had gone ahead in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single from Wright.

Cooper Paint tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning with a stunning triple by Lori Brown that looked as if it might clear the fence in left center field. Madison’s single brought Brown home and Cillis retired the side in the seventh to ice the win. Brown was two-for three on the night as was Wright and Rachelle (Rocky) Irwin, who added some fine plays in the field.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of photos from the game.