Delaware Valley Missy Softball League All-Star Game

Star gazing

By RICHARD A. ROSS

NARROWSBURG, NY - In a fitting end to a great season, the top players from each of the five teams in the Delaware Valley Missy Softball League arrived at the Flats to take part in the league’s annual all-star game on July 19.

Coaches divided the players into an A and B team, with the former comprised of this year’s champion Yellowjackets, sponsored by Roche’s Garage, and the third-place Mustangs, sponsored by Neer & Sons RV Sales.

The B team was made up of the second-place Bobcats, sponsored by Ned Lang, the fourth-place Eagles, sponsored by Tenbus Construction, and the fifth-place Diamonds, sponsored by Diehl’s Trucking. Each girl wore her home team jersey, making for a colorful array on the field.

Despite threats of continued rain on a day that had already seen intermittent showers, the skies cleared and the fans came out in droves to watch the bevy of talent on display. As usual, the game was really not about the score, which was tied at one-all after three innings, before the A team began to pull away towards its eventual 17-5 win.

While keeping score is part and parcel of any game, the emphasis here was on the chance to play the game they love one more time this year. The ages of players in the league ranges from eight to 14, and for the oldest denizens of the league, this would be their last game of Missy Softball. Some may now move on to the junior varsity level in their schools. But for many, this is just great recreation and a chance to mingle with friends.

Starting pitchers Megan Holbert of the Yellowjackets from the A team, and Julianna Kenyon of the Diamonds from the B squad, pitched two scoreless innings, and allowed only one run in the third. They were backed up by fine fielding. The A team turned a double play in both the first and second innings to help Holbert’s cause. Jessica Collins from the Bobcats drove in the game’s first run for the B team in the third with a single.

After a leadoff double by Courtney Roche of the Yellowjackets gave the A team a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the inning, Samantha Freirmuth of the Mustangs drove her in to tie the game.

In between innings, fans were drawn by the alluring scent of hot dogs and hamburgers cooking at the concession stands. Coaches had designed their lineups to allow for substitutions that would allow that every player would get time in the game. Many of those subs came in after the fourth inning.

The B team got the lead back briefly in the top of the fourth, by loading the bases and getting a RBI, when Zariinia Padu of the Eagles was hit by a pitch, and Beth Brown of the Bobcats walked.

But in the bottom of the fourth, the A team erupted for eight runs to take the lead they would never relinquish. Taylor Spencer, Holbert, Miranda Card, Chelsea Metz, Kelsey Rutledge and Alexis McCarthy drove in runs. Spencer played for the Mustangs and the others played for the Yellowjackets this season.

Leading 9-3 after four innings, the A team added six more runs in the fifth, and two in the seventh, as many of the same players and others, including Kelsey Peck, Ashley Nober, Katelynn Pfeil and Celia Balthaser of the Yellowjackets, along with Carmen Francesco of the Mustangs, contributed to the effort.

The B team got another run in the seventh, and one in the eighth with RBI from Sarah Rutledge of the Diamonds and Kelly Small of the Bobcats. The latter also pitched a couple of innings before starter Kenyon returned. The A team got relief pitching from Kelsey Rutledge of the Yellowjackets.

Other players selected for play in this year’s all-star game included Gisella Vega of the Bobcats, Amanda Goddard, Bethannii Padu and Sharrie Kraft of the Eagles and Samantha Spangler and Bonnie Smith of the Diamonds.

At the end of the game, trophies were awarded for sportsmanship and most improved play.

Sportsmanship winners included Courtney Roche (Yellowjackets), Katie Kelly (Bobcats), Ariel Brooks (Mustangs), Samantha Knecht (Eagles) and Jessica Clark (Diamonds). Most improved players were Sarah Wilson (Yellowjackets), Kim Rieman (Bobcats), Samantha Friermuth (Mustangs) and Chelsea Rutledge (Diamonds).

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