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South Jersey Softball:
West Berlin Takes 2-0 Lead In Firefighters Softball Championship Series

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

By Gary Steiner
SJSports Staff Writer

Game 2 of the Camden County Firefighters Softball League championship series was played under cloudly skies, with both players and fans wondering about the weather after a thunderstorm interrupted Game 1 on Monday. But the clouds would help keep the temperature down on this July evening, as it would be the bats that were hot as West Berlin came from behind to defeat Laurel Springs 19-18 to go up two games to none in this best of five series.

West Berlin started off cold, as Wilder and Siderio walked in the first but were left stranded. Laurel Springs got things going right off, as Ward walked and Peters singled. Martin singled home Ward, followed by an RBI single from Scott. Then Kennerup hit a bases clearing double. Williams would get on base on a fielder's choice, and come home on a triple by Larson. Laurel Springs would bat around in the inning, going up 6-0.

In the second inning, the West Berlin batters decided to get in on the fun. First "Bones" Schaffer walked, followed by a single from Ferrara. Then Amos reached on an eror which also scored Schaffer. Then Mike Peeler stepped up and crushed a ball over the fence in left center for a 3 run homer. Pinto reached base on a fielder's choice, followed by a walk from Cudeyro. Then Jackson and Wilder each hit RBI singles. Siderio would put the score at 7-6 with a sacrifice fly to left.

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Laurel Springs' bats were still warm from the previous inning. Peters started it off with a single, then a double from Hornois, followed by a single from Martin that sent them both home. Scott walked, Kennerup hit an RBI single and eventually scored on an error. Willcott hit an RBI single, followed by a single from Williams. Larson then drove them both home with a single to put Laurel Springs back on top 13-6.

Things settled down a little in the third, as West Berlin scored two when Peeler singled home Schaffer, who had walked, and Pinto later got Peeler home with a single. Pitcher Lattanzi managed to get Laurel Springs down in order. West Berlin scored one more in the fourth, as Siderio sinlged home Jackson who had also singled. Laurel Springs got two singles in their half of the inning, but left both runners stranded.

In the fifth it was West Berlin that would go down in order, looking at a 13-10 deficit. Laurel Springs added three more, with singles by Depetris and Ward, a 2 RBI double by Peters, and an RBI single from Hornois.

West Berlin made up some ground in the sixth to put the score at 16-14. Peeler walked and Corbett singled. Then Pinto hit into a 5-6 fielder's choice that scored Peeler. Cudeyro got a walk. Then Wilder sent Pinto home with a double. Siderio rounded out the scoring with a 2 RBI single. Laurel Springs tacked on two more with singles from Scott and Kennerup, an RBI single from Willcott, and a sacrifice fly to center for the RBI from Williams.

In the top of the seventh, West Berlin was looking at an 18-14 score, and the pressure was on. First Ferrara and Paul each singled. Then Peeler scored Ferrara with a single of his own. Then Corbett scored Paul with a sacrifice fly to left. Then Pinto singled, but Peeler was thrown out at third. Cudeyro walked. Jackson then tied the score with a 2 RBI single. Wilder would plate the go ahead run with a single to drive home Jackson.

The score was now 19-18 in the bottom of the 7th, and the pressure was now on Laurel Springs. Depetris and Harper would both ground out to Jackson at short. Ward then walked, followed by a single from Peters to put the tying run at third with two outs. But Hornois would hit a fly to right for the final out.

The win sends the series back to Luke Avenue Friday night, where West Berlin will attempt the sweep. The game starts at 6 PM, and I encourage you to come out to see some exciting softball competition.

Photos by Boog Williams

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