SWB BATS FALL SILENT

SWB Bats Fall Silent in Loss to IronPigs

Chad Green Deals Second Quality Start

 

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) were held scoreless for just the second time this year as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs avoided a PNC Field sweep with a 2-0 win on Wednesday night.

Chad Green (0-3) absorbed a tough-luck loss despite authoring 6.2 strong innings. The right-hander yielded one unearned while scattering three hits. He finished one off his career-best with nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Zach Eflin (3-0) took home the win for Lehigh Valley, blanking the RailRIders over 6.1 innings. He allowed four singles, hit two batters, issued one walk and struck out six. Edward Mujica pitched a perfect ninth to collect his sixth save.

The IronPigs broke a scoreless stalement in the seventh when Brock Stassi began the frame with a single. He moved to third when Rob Refsnyder misplayed a rolling groundball at second and Tommy Joseph reached safely at first. With one away, Will Venable lined out to medium center, resulting in a sacrifice fly as Stassi scored. Joseph cracked his fourth home run off James Pazos in the ninth for the final tally.

The RailRiders are off on Thursday and hit the road for nine games in eight days beginning Friday. SWB opens a four-game series in Rochester with a doubleheader against the Red Wings at Frontier Field. Right-hander Kyle Haynes (1-0, 3.18) is scheduled to face left-hander Pat Dean (0-3, 2.88) in game one. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

B-METS SHUT OUT PORTLAND

Pill, B-Mets Shut Out Portland, 6-0

BINGHAMTON, NY – Tyler Pill fanned seven over eight shutout innings and the Binghamton Mets blanked the Portland Sea Dogs 6-0 Wednesday night at NYSEG Stadium. It was the B-Mets fourth straight win and it completed a three-game sweep of the Sea Dogs.
The majority of Binghamton’s offense came in the first inning. Derrick Gibson led off with a double scored in the ensuing at bat. Kyle Johnson bounced a grounder that went between Portland second baseman Wendell Rijo’s legs. Gibson sprinted home from second and scored the first run of the game.
Niuman Romero then walked and Dom Smith followed with an RBI single, scoring Johnson. Three batters later, L.J. Mazzilli doubled to left, allowing Romero and Smith to score for a 4-0 Binghamton lead.
Meanwhile, Pill was cruising. He retired 19 of the last 21 that he faced, a period stretching from the second to the eighth inning. Pill improved to 1-2 after allowing only four hits and a walk over his eight innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, Smith led off with a single then scored on a Victor Cruzado double, pushing the lead to 5-0. One more crossed in the eighth as L.J. Mazzilli slapped a one-out single. He took second on a passed ball, advanced to third on an error and come in to score on a Maikis De La Cruz fielder’s choice. The unearned run made the score 6-0.
Kelly Secrest worked a scoreless ninth to shut the door and preserve the Binghamton win. Ty Buttrey (0-4) took the loss after lasting just 2-2/3 innings with four runs, one earned, allowed on four hits.
Gibson went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run, Mazzilli was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run and Smith finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, extending his hitting streak to seven games.
Binghamton will take Thursday off before embarking upon a seven-game road trip, beginning on Friday at 6:35 P.M. in New Hampshire against the Fisher Cats. RHP Rainy Lara will start the first of the three-game series against RHP Jason Berken. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:20 P.M. on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton’s four-game winning streak is its longest of the season…Victor Cruzado and L.J. Mazzilli each recorded their first doubles of the season…Pill’s eight innings represented the longest start for a B-Mets pitcher in 2016.
Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

RAILRIDERS HALT SKID

RailRiders Topple IronPigs to Halt Skid

Anthony Swarzak Authors Seven-Inning Gem

 

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) halted their five-game losing streak by besting the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 5-2 on Monday night at PNC Field. The win gets the RailRiders (9-9) back to .500 while dropping the IronPigs (10-8) out of first place in the International League North Division.

Anthony Swarzak (1-2) became the first RailRider this season to weave together seven innings. The right-hander yielded two runs on five hits. He fanned six without walking a batter. Vinnie Pestano and James Pazos combined for two perfect innings to end the night, with Pazos scoring his first save of the year. Jake Thompson (1-3) allowed five runs on eight hits across five innings in the loss for Lehigh Valley.

Nick Swisher and Jose Rosario got SWB on the board first in the second inning by belting solo home runs out to left. It was the third in 10 games for Swisher, who is hitting .368.

Gary Sanchez cracked a two-run double off Thompson in the third stanza for a 4-0 RailRiders advantage and Chris Parmelee capped the frame with a single to bring home Sanchez from third. Parmelee finished the evening with three hits.

The IronPigs managed a run in the fourth on a two-out single by Tommy Joseph and Nick Williams homered to left in the sixth for the final margin.

The RailRiders and IronPigs square off in game two of the “IronRail Series” on Tuesday night at PNC Field. It’s “$2 Twosdays” with $2 walk-up lawn seats and $2 tacos. Right-hander Luis Cessa (0-0, 3.00) will oppose left-hander Adam Morgan (1-1, 3.57). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

B-METS WIN 6-4

Cruzado’s Blast Propels Binghamton, 6-4

BINGHAMTON, NY –Victor Cruzado cranked a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to push the Binghamton Mets past the Portland Sea Dogs, 6-4, on Monday night at NYSEG Stadium. Binghamton overcame a two-run deficit and used Cruzado’s second homer in as many games to earn their second straight win.
With the game tied at three in the seventh, Matt Oberste led off with a line drive single to right-center. Cruzado then clobbered a Chandler Shepherd offering deep to right, giving Binghamton a 5-3 lead.
Binghamton first got on the board in the second thanks to some control issues from Kevin McAvoy. He walked four in the inning and hit one more. A bases loaded walk to Kyle Johnson pushed in a run to make it 1-0.
McAvoy exited the game with two outs in the second having walked six batters. He allowed only the one run and struck out one with no hits against.
The entirety of Portland’s offense came in the fifth inning, starting with back-to-back singles from Jake Romanski and Tim Roberson. Both men scored on a Tzu-Wei Lin double. Anuery Tavarez later sprinted home when Robert Gsellman issued a wild pitch and the Sea Dogs led 3-1.
Binghamton then managed a run in both the fifth and the sixth innings. Dom Smith knocked in Johnson on a fielder’s choice in the fifth then Jared King scored thanks to a Lin throwing error in the sixth, tying the game at three.
After Cruzado’s homer in the seventh gave the B-Mets the lead, they added one more in the eighth. Smith pulled a single to right, again scoring Johnson to put Binghamton on top 6-3.
Beck Wheeler came on to work the ninth and after a pair of groundouts he surrendered a two-out home run to Jordan Betts, cutting the lead to 6-4. He rebounded to strike out Lin and record his first save of the season.
Gsellman took a no decision after allowing three runs on four hits over six innings. Logan Taylor (2-0) struck out three over two shutout frames to pick up the win and Chandler Shepherd (1-1) was tagged with the loss for Portland, giving up three runs over two four-hit innings.  
Binghamton and Portland continue the three game series with a 6:35 P.M. scheduled first pitch on Tuesday. LHP Andrew Barbosa will make his second B-Mets start, opposed by Portland’s RHP Teddy Stankiewicz. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:20 P.M. on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Victor Cruzado has now homered in back-to-back games…the B-Mets went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11…Dom Smith’s two RBI give him 12 for the season, most on the team and T-7^th in the league
Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

MOHR DOMINATE QUALIFYING

Mohr Averages 251 to Dominate

UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages Qualifying

Two-time PBA50 Player of the Year leads 32 players who advanced to match play

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Las Vegas, averaged 251 to dominate qualifying and lead 32 players who advanced to match play for the UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages presented by Radical at Spanish Springs Lanes.

After a 2,056 eight-game pinfall in Sunday’s first round, Mohr followed it up with 1,961 after Monday’s second round for a 4,017 16-game overall pinfall. He bowled games of 259, 218, 269, 237, 278, 268, 237 and 195 in the second round.

“When the round started I was having to play the lanes quite a bit deeper than I anticipated but the key is to read the lanes and react,” Mohr said. “I expected a three or four board difference from yesterday but it turned out to be eight to 10. It wasn’t a problem because I was able to make the right adjustments and I was able throw the same ball as I did yesterday for the whole round.”

Mohr, an eight-time PBA50 Tour winner, is hoping to end a nearly four-year drought without a PBA50 Tour win. His last win came in the 2012 Senior Decatur Open.

He’s also looking forward to bouncing back from his 39th-place finish in last week’s season opening Pasco County Florida Open.

“I spent some time working on some fundamental things before coming here and I think it’s made a lot of difference,” Mohr said. “I just need to continue to focus on the things I can control and trust that the results will come.”

Mohr holds the PBA50 eight and 16-game qualifying records of 2,160 and 4,243, respectively, which were set in the 2010 HP Lanes Senior Open.        

Reigning PBA50 Player of the Year Hall of Famer Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., qualified second with 3,946. He had games of 245, 258, 222, 258, 264, 248, 216 and 279 in his second round.

“I do well here,” said Weber, who finished fourth in the Pasco County Florida Open. “I’ve made the finals here the last two out of three years and I’ve got a good start in qualifying so I’m where I need to be at this point.”

Rounding out the top five after the second round were Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 3,893; Kevin Foley, Reno, Nev., 3,885, and Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli of Venezuela, 3,883.

Pasco County Florida Open winner Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Oxford, Fla., finished the day in sixth with 3,811 and defending champion Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, finished tied for seventh with 3,777.

Match play begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET. At the conclusion of match play the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals scheduled for 7 p.m.

The UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages is streamed live on PBA’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame. Subscription and schedule information is available by clicking on http://www.xtraframe.tv/#!home.

PBA50 UNITEDHEALTHCARE SUN BOWL IN THE VILLAGES 

PRESENTED BY RADICAL

Spanish Springs Lanes, The Villages, Fla., Monday

Second Round Standings (after 16 games. Top 32 advance to match play Tuesday)

1, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 4,017.
2, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,946.
3, Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 3,893.
4, Kevin Foley, Reno, Nev., 3,885.
5, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,883.
6, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 3,811.
7, (tie) Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, and Bob Spaulding, Colorado Springs, Colo., 3,777.
9, Sam Maccarone, Blackwood, N.J., 3,736.
10, Brian LeClair, Delmar, N.Y., 3,733.
11, Johnny Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 3,731.
12, Don Breeden, Clive, Iowa, 3,729.
13, Joel Carlson, Omaha, Neb., 3,727.
14, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 3,720.
15, Jerry Brunette Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 3,707.
16, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,702.
17, Scott Greiner, Platte City, Mo., 3,688.
18, Robert Brown, Cody, Wyo., 3,683.
19, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 3,681.
20, (tie) Timothy Regan, East Northport, N.Y., and David Taylor, Largo, Fla., 3,679.
22, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 3,666.
23, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,662.
24, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,661.
25, Tommy Martin, Olive Branch, Miss., 3,660.
26, Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 3,659.
27, Chuck Richardson, The Villages, Fla., 3,654.
28, Tracy Teeters, Eugene, Ore., 3,650.
29, Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., 3,637.
30, Doug Becker, Clermont, Fla., 3,634.
31, Bruce Hall, Westborough, Mass., 3,630.
32, Stephen Pavlinko, Sewell, N.J., 3,627.

Did not advance:
33, David Williams Jr., Omaha, Neb., 3,624, $1,000.
34, Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 3,623, $1,000.
35, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 3,616, $1,000.
36, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 3,613, $1,000.
37, John Dudak, Orland Park, Ill., 3,611, $1,000.
38, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 3,610, $1,000.
39, Craig Auerbach, Sunrise, Fla., 3,607, $1,000.
40, Warren Nelson, Middleburg, Fla., 3,594, $1,000.
41, Paul LeMond, Jasper, Ind., 3,590, $1,000.
42, Emilio Mora Sr., Defiance, Ohio, 3,582, $1,000.
43, (tie) Kenneth Bland Jr., Cibilo, Texas, 3,579, and Steve Kenyon, Dade City, Fla., 3,579, $1,000.
45, John Dougherty III, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 3,577, $1,000.
45, James Knoblauch, Waukesha, Wis., 3,577, $1,000.
47, (tie) Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 3,567, and Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3,567, $1,000.
49, Dale Eagle, Laguna Niguel, Calif., 3,564, $1,000.
49, Tony Johnson, Canton, Ohio, 3,564, $1,000.
51, John Gant, Medford, Mass., 3,550, $1,000.
52, Ralph Brunt Jr., Jensen Beach, Fla., 3,542, $1,000.
53, Dave Han, Hoover, AL, 3,530, $1,000.
54, John Austin Jr., League City, Texas, 3,528.
55, Brian Miller, Springfield, Ohio, 3,526.
56, James Hansen, Anchorage, Alaska, 3,523.
57, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 3,522.
58, (tie) John Donovan, Melbourne, Fla., and Jim Pitts, Elmira, N.Y., 3,512.
60, ss-John Pullen, Oyster Bay, NY, 3,511, $1,000.
61, ss-Roger Kossert, Lithia, Fla., 3,510, $1,000.
62, William Peters, Dayton, Ohio, 3,509.
63, ss-Mark Scime, Winter Garden, Fla., 3,507, $1,000.
64, Rory Peterson, Sacramento, Calif., 3,504.
65, Michael Owen, Gainesville, Fla., 3,502.
66, Robert Leonard, Lockwood, N.Y., 3,501.
67, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3,500.
68, Todd Haney, Boiling Springs, S.C., 3,498.
69, Darin Hays, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 3,493.
70, Wayne Bolin, Lumberton, N.C., 3,492.
71, n-John Hough, Naples, Fla., 3,489.
72, ss-Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 3,485, $1,000.
73, James Lord, Fort Mill, S.C., 3,477.
74, Peter Knopp, Germany, 3,475.
75, ss-Ron Profitt, Brookville, Ohio, 3,473, $1,000.
76, ss-William Keenan Jr., Orlando, Fla., 3,472, $1,000.
77, ss-Timothy Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 3,471, $1,000.
78, ss-Lee Rautenberg, Boynton Beach, Fla., 3,466, $1,000.
79, Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 3,464.
80, John Conroy, Mahopac, N.Y., 3,463.
81, Don Herrington, Ballston Lake, N.Y., 3,456.
82, Ernie Segura Jr., Taylor, Mich., 3,454.
83, Pete Arruda, Gilbert, S.C., 3,450.
84, Mike Hastings, Millsboro, Del., 3,447.
85, David Welch, St. Louis, Mo., 3,440.
86, John Burkett, Southlake, Texas, 3,436.
87, (tie) Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., and Bill Henson, Westerville, Ohio, 3,433.
89, Joe Scarborough, Charlotte, N.C., 3,431.
90, Marc Lineberry, Camanche, Iowa, 3,430.
91, Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 3,429.
92, Don Sylvia, Daytona Beach, Fla., 3,422.
93, Dick Gran, Hartville, Ohio, 3,421.
94, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3,418.
95, Dave Bernhardt, Romeo, Mich., 3,415.
96, Michael Truitt, New Port Richey, Fla., 3,402.
97, Antonio Santa, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 3,377.
98, Jim Price, Harrrisburg, N.C., 3,372.
99, Mike Walden, Stony Point, N.Y., 3,366.
100, James Souder, Greeneville, Tenn., 3,363.
101, Rich Giragosian, Charlotte, N.C., 3,362.
102, Michael Kennedy, Austraila, 3,352.
103, Dave Sill, Titusville, Fla., 3,349.
104, Ken Waters, Kingsport, Tenn., 3,347.
105, Bill Ursillo, Bluffton, S.C., 3,344.
106, Dan Schmerbach, St. Joseph, Mo., 3,343.
106, Bob Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 3,343.
108, Steven Jansson, Barnes, Wis., 3,336.
109, Warren Burr, Wilmington, Del., 3,335.
110, (tie) Randy Robertson, Evansville, Ind., and Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., 3,331.
112, John DiSantis, Wilmington, Del., 3,321.
113, Gary Alstott, Washington, Ill., 3,318.
114, (tie) Tom Howison, Chillicothe, Ohio, and Larry Woomer, State College, Pa., 3,317.
116, Fred Ferreira, Kings Park, N.Y., 3,309.
117, James Deplanche, Taylor, Mich., 3,304.
118, Bob Chamberlain, The Villages, Fla., 3,290.
119, (tie) Billy Block, Pembroke Pines, Fla., Nick Panicaro, Ocala, Fla., and Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 3,284.
122, Steven Grotowski, Ft Lauderdale, Fla, 3,275.
123, Doug O'Bryant, Ball Ground, Ga., 3,269.
124, n-Adam Colton, Boynton Beach, Fla., 3,263.
125, Steve Bova, Massapequa, N.Y., 3,252.
126, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 3,246.
126, Michael Holden, Victoria, Australia, 3,246.
128, George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 3,245.
129, Harry Alchin III, Madeira Beach, Fla., 3,243.
130, Greg Wilhelm, Saluda, Va., 3,240.
131, William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., 3,228.
132, (tie) Thomas Ream, Tampa, Fla., and Michael Chrzanowski, Shepherd, Mich., 3,221.
134, (tie) Tom Carter, Columbus, Ohio, and Patsy DellaPenna, Palm Harbor, Fla., 3,219.
136, (tie) Jon DeLaney, McKinney, Texas, and Edgar Gomez, Colombia, 3,217.
138, Darrell Adams, Flintstone, Ga., 3,212.
139, John Kidwell, Indianapolis, Ind., 3,197.
140, Larry Gross, Ocala, Fla., 3,196.
141, John Younger, Winston-Salem, N.C., 3,190.
142, Sam Perrotta, Newark, Del., 3,155.
143, Paul Mielens, Menomonie, Wis., 3,104.
144, Mike Schmid, St. Paul, Minn., 3,099.
145, William Medina, Camillus, N.Y., 3,093.
146, Lew Elting, Carlsbad, Calif., 3,090.
147, Stephen Wood, Naylor, Ga., 3,085.
148, Glenn Morgan, Carson City, Nev., 3,079.
149, Adrian Eckroth, Ocala, Fla., 3,065.
150, Stephen Lippman, Palm Harbor, Fla., 2,978.
151, Dan Howsmon, Lutz, Fla., 2,977.
152, Larry Montgomery, Safety Harbor, Fla., 2,971.
153, Joseph Long, Tarpon, Springs, Fla., 2,969.
154, Larry Felts Jr., Moore, S.C., 2,960.
155, Lindell Woolard, Tallahassee, Fla., 2,934.
156, Bobby Dunn, Augusta, Ga., 2,931.
157, Howard Frostman, Washburn, Wis., 2,925.
158, Dave Schultz, West Bend, Wis., 2,842.
159, Gerald Dost, Hilton Head, S.C., 2,834.
160, Peter Brainard, Tampa, Fla., 2,733.

n-denotes non-member

ss-denotes PBA60 players ages 60 and over out of the regular prize list cashing for $1,000

 
 

    

MUSCLE & STRIKERS ADVANCE IN LEAGUE SERIES

Motown Muscle, Dallas Strikers Advance to PBA League Elias Cup Semis

Underdog franchises record sweeps in pursuit of first Elias Cup finals

PORTLAND, Maine – The Barbasol Motown Muscle and the GoBowling.com Dallas Strikers, two teams that have struggled in their three previous Professional Bowlers Association League appearances, swept their favored opponents to move one step closer to the PBA League Elias Cup title match at Bayside Bowl.

The third and fourth quarterfinal round matches aired Sunday on ESPN, with Motown eliminating perennial contender BJ’s L.A. X, 2-0, and Dallas outlasting the star-studded Concrete Software Brooklyn Styles, 2-0.

Motown, with a lineup featuring talented woman bowler Danielle McEwan, Josh Blanchard, Ronnie Russell, EJ Tackett and Anthony Simonsen, turned back L.A. X, 223-218 and 202-180, in their best-of-two-game Baker format contest. Four consecutive strikes by young power players Tackett and Simonsen clinched the first game and consecutive strikes by Russell, McEwan and Blanchard, capped by Simonsen’s strike in the 10th frame, was just enough to win a mistake-filled second game against L.A. X’s lineup of Patrick Allen, Andres Gomez, Stuart Williams, Martin Larsen and Jason Belmonte.

“That was a very hard match for me, personally,” said Motown manager Del Ballard Jr., a PBA Hall of Famer whose day job is working as a staff representative for Storm Bowling Products. “All five guys on the other team (L.A. X) bowl for Storm and Roto Grip. I’m an old time competitor and I love hating who I’m bowling against, so I was really fighting myself emotionally.”

A key to Motown advancing past the first round for only the second time in four years was the addition of 19-year-old two-hander Simonsen to a roster that also included the return of Tackett, the 23-year-old 2014 PBA Rookie of the Year.

“One of the reasons why I had Simonsen last and Tackett fourth, even though hooking the ball hasn’t done that well in this building, is they are the youngest and they don’t get tight between those 15-minute waits,” Ballard said. “Watch them throw their first practice balls, and they’re cocked and loaded, ready to go. The older guys might get a little slow, might grab the ball, but these kids just get up there and throw it, and that’s what they did.”

Despite his youth and never having faced the raucous atmosphere inside Bayside Bowl, Simonsen embraced both the sold-out crowd and the challenge of bowling anchor.

“I love (the atmosphere),” he said. “The fans come out here at 8 in the morning to tailgate and they’re here all day. To have your team and the crowd behind you is a whole different atmosphere. It gets you worked up, but to be honest, I couldn’t tell you if they kept cheering or not. After my first step I kinda blocked it all out.”

In the fourth quarterfinal match, Dallas won a tight battle with Brooklyn in the first game, getting a string of four strikes from BJ Moore, Shawn Maldonado, Tommy Jones and a 10th-frame clincher from player-manager Norm Duke to win the first game, 226-213.

Brooklyn built a 42-pin lead after starting the second game behind strikes by PBA Hall of Famers Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Parker Bohn III, Jon VanHees and Jason Sterner, but the Strikers’ decision to finish game two on the right lane proved to be the difference. Dallas erased the Styles’ lead behind strikes by Jones, Duke and Moore, a spare by Maldonado, and two more strikes by Bill O’Neill and Jones on his first shot in the 10th locked up the 213-207 win.

“The surprise for us was the lineup switch we made for the first game,” said Duke, Dallas’ player-manager. “We were going to go with the second-game lineup, with Tommy as anchor, but he came to me and said when the lane condition is fresh, the two guys we have who hook the ball are lost.

“It made sense for me to throw the 10th frame in the first game and, when the condition opened up a little, put Tommy back in anchor for the second game. But I didn’t want to bowl the 10th; I wanted to lead off to get us a mark out of the gate,” Duke added. “But we pulled it off and bowled two really good games considering how bad we actually executed.

“We knew from last year that, given the choice, we wanted to finish on the right lane in the second game,” he continued. “If we win the coin toss next time, we’re going to finish on that lane, too.”

Duke was beaming after advancing out of the first round for the first time since 2013.

“We were among the top five the first year, under a different format, but since then we haven’t made it out of the first round,” he grinned. “So that’s why I’m so hyped right now.”

Jones, the only player to bowl for two previous Elias Cup championship teams (GEICO NYC WTT KingPins in 2013 and the Silver Lake Atom Splitters in 2014), was relieved his team was able to survive a less-than-sterling performance against Brooklyn.

“It’s survive and advance at this point, and that’s what we did,” Jones said. “The second game wasn’t very pretty, but I felt like we had a chance. Then it kind of fell in our laps. Sometimes you’ve gotta get lucky.” 

The 2015 Elias Cup competition now moves into the semifinal round, with the GEICO New York City WTT KingPins meeting the hometown-favorite Shipyard Brewing Co. Portland Lumberjacks and the Barbasol Motown Muscle battling the GoBowling.com Dallas Strikers. Both semifinal matches will air on Sunday, May 1, at 1 p.m. ET., with the winners advancing to the Elias Cup Finals on Sunday, May 8, also at 1 p.m. ET

2016 PBA LEAGUE ELIAS CUP QUARTERFINAL ROUND

Bayside Bowl, Portland, Maine (aired Sunday, April 24 on ESPN)

(Best of two five-player Baker format team games, ties broken by roll-off)

Quarterfinal Match Three

Barbasol Motown Muscle (Danielle McEwan, Josh Blanchard, Ronnie Russell, EJ Tackett, Anthony Simonsen) def. BJ’s L.A. X (Stuart Williams, Andres Gomez, Patrick Allen, Martin Larsen, Jason Belmonte), 2-0 (223-218, 202-180).

Quarterfinal Match Four

GoBowling.com Dallas Strikers (Bill O’Neill, BJ Moore, Shawn Maldonado, Tommy Jones, Norm Duke) def. Concrete Software Brooklyn Styles (Walter Ray Williams Jr., Parker Bohn III, Jon VanHees, Jason Sterner, Sean Rash), 2-0 (226-213 213-207).

TACKETT WINS STORM OPEN

EJ Tackett Wins PBA Xtra Frame Storm Open for Second PBA Tour Title

Key break in title match helps 2013 Rookie of the Year escape top qualifier Ryan Ciminelli

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. (April 24, 2016) – EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind., broke up a 7-9 split, converting the break into a string of three strikes that proved to be the difference in winning his second career PBA Tour title Sunday in the PBA Xtra Frame Storm Open at Liberty Lanes.

Tackett, the 2013 PBA Rookie of the Year, defeated top qualifier Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, N.Y., 217-210, to win the $10,000 first prize after eliminating PBA Regional veteran Steven Taylor of Deer Creek, Ill., in the semifinal match.

“They say winning your second title is the toughest,” said Tackett, who won his first PBA Tour title in the 2015 PBA Xtra Frame Lubbock Sports Open. “But I’ve been close and I’ve been bowling well. Maybe this will lead to something more.

“I really didn’t think I could bowl enough to beat Ryan; I thought it would take 250 to win,” Tackett said. “I got fortunate that he didn’t bowl a good game because that’s really uncharacteristic of how he’s been bowling.”

Ciminelli’s closing string of four strikes forced Tackett to mark in the 10th frame on the lane that was giving him difficulty.

“I liked the first shot,” he said, despite leaving a 4 pin. “I guess, being in the situation, I probably threw it a little hard, but the result was good. I was a little nervous on that (4 pin) spare, just because I’d missed one in match play earlier – against Ryan, actually.”

Taylor’s “Cinderella” bid for his first PBA Tour title, in only his second PBA Tour event after bowling in 103 regionals, came to an end with a 205-200 loss to Tackett in the semifinal match. Tackett threw one double and converted six single-pin spares, but Taylor threw one too many splits.

Taylor, an 11-year PBA Midwest Region competitor with three regional titles, rallied from an early 29-pin deficit with a string of six strikes to eliminate Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 237-209, in the first stepladder match. The 40-year-old right-hander then watched 14-time PBA Tour titlist Patrick Allen of Mount Kisco, N.Y., start with five strikes, rolling into an early 33-pin lead, before throwing eight strikes in his last nine attempts for a 246-212 victory. Allen left a pocket 7-10 in the seventh frame and then saw his titles hopes disappear when he left and failed to convert the 3-7-9 split in the ninth frame.

The PBA Xtra Frame Storm Open is the second of 10 Xtra Frame events that will pay the PBA member with the highest points total at the conclusion of the series a $10,000 bonus. Tackett said his plan is to bowl the entire Xtra Frame series.

“The series rewards good bowling, it rewards consistency on different patterns,” Tackett said. “They’re not just handing out titles and with a $10,000 bonus at the end, it’s worth going after.”

The PBA Xtra Frame Tour resumes June 25-26 with live coverage of the PBA Xtra Frame Lubbock Sports Open from Lubbock, Texas. Fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame by clicking on the Xtra Frame logo on the pba.com homepage.

PBA XTRA FRAME STORM OPEN

Liberty Lanes, Carpentersville, Ill., Sunday

Final Standings

1, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., $10,000.

2, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., $5,000.

3, Steve Taylor, Deer Creek, Ill., $2,500.

4, Patrick Allen, Mount Kisco, N.Y., $2,000.

5, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., $1,500.

Stepladder Results

Match One – Taylor def. Rash, 237-209.

Match Two – Taylor def. Allen, 246-212.

Semifinal Match – Tackett def. Taylor, 205-200.

Championship – Tackett def. Ciminelli, 217-210.

Final Match Play Standings (after 20 games, including match play bonus pins)

1, Ciminelli, 7-5, 5,256.

2, Tackett, 9-3, 5,192.

3, Allen, 7-4-1, 5,095.

4, Taylor, 8-4, 4,991.

5, Rash, 7-4-1, 4,979.

6, Aaron Lorincz, Saginaw, Mich., 6-6, 4,903, $1,100.

7, Scott Weber, LaSalle, Ill., 5-7, 4,883, $1,000.

8, Jordan Klassen, Canada, 7-5, 4,877, $900.

9, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, Texas, 5-6-1, 4,852, $875.

10, Craig LeMond, Jasper, Ind., 5-7, 4,804, $850.

11, n-Brian Traber, Waterford, Wis., 6-5-1, 4,791, $825.

12, Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 6-6, 4,785, $800.

13, Blake Demore, Springfield, Mo., 3-9, 4,702, $780.

14, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 4-8, 4,693, $770.

15, n-Derek Roseberry, Louisville, Ky., 6-6, 4,668, $760.

16, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 3-9, 5,494, $750.

n-denotes non-member.

    

RAILRIDERS SWEPT BY CHIEFS

Five-Run First Carries Chiefs to Sweep

First Syracuse Three-Plus-Game Sweep of SWB as Yankees Affiliate

Syracuse, N.Y. – A five-run first proved too much to overcome as the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) fell to the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) at NBT Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 7-4. SWB (8-9) hit into five double plays for its fifth straight loss. Syracuse (9-8) notched its first-ever sweep of SWB during the Yankees era in a series of three or more games. The Chiefs entered the series with losses in seven of nine.

Matt Skole’s two-run double and Brendan Ryan’s three-run homer highlighted the Chiefs’ gaudy first frame against starter Tyler Cloyd (1-1). The right-hander rebounded to give SWB four innings, allowing six runs (two earned).

Syracuse starter Aaron Laffey (2-0) got the win with five innings of two-run ball. Nick Massett faced the minimum in a scoreless ninth for his second save.

The RailRiders return home for a three-game renewal of the IronRail Series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) on Monday at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Anthony Swarzak (0-2, 6.92) gets the ball for SWB against fellow righty Jake Thompson (1-2, 5.14). The $1 Monday promotion features $1 lawn seats (walk-up only), $1 hot dogs and canine dogs will be allowed entrance for just $1. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

Donovan Solano filled in as the leadoff hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Nick Swisher went 3-for-4 with a run scored as the DH. In nine games with SWB, Swisher has gone 13-for-34, slashing .382/.421/.588/1.009.

Jose Rosario went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in his first Triple-A game of the season. He went 4-for-17 in six games played with last year’s RailRiders. Rosario also notched an outfield assist when he nabbed Kevin Keyes at home plate in the sixth.

Lane Adams doubled on a 3-for-4 day with an RBI and a run scored.

Former Chief Richard Bleier made his SWB debut. The lefty tossed four innings of one-run ball, inducing seven groundouts including a double play.

Syracuse manager Billy Gardner, Jr. was ejected by home plate umpire Derek Mollica in the eighth inning.

The RailRiders have lost five in a row for the first time since a six-game skid from June 25-July 1, 2015. Last year’s rough run began with a record-setting home loss to Louisville, 15-2.

After their 5-3 defeat of Pawtucket at McCoy Stadium on Sunday, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will come to PNC Field as the first-place team in the IL North. The ‘Pigs had not been in first place since 2012.

BATS BUST OUT FOR B-METS

B-Mets Bust Out the Bats in 6-2 Win

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Mets recorded double-digit hits for the third time in their last four games and defeated the Erie SeaWolves, 6-2, snapping a six-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium.
Binghamton started fast with a Derrik Gibson leadoff single in the first. He stole second and later scored on a Niuman Romero double, giving the B-Mets a 1-0 lead.
Victor Cruzado kept it going in the second by mashing a leadoff home run off of the videoboard in right-center. L.J. Mazzilli then walked and stole second, later scoring on a Gibson single. After two, Binghamton led 3-0.
Erie fought back in the third with a two-out rally against Mickey Jannis. With runners at first and third, Dean Green singled in Gustavo Nunez and moved Jason Krizan to third. John Hicks grounded a single through the hole to left, scoring Krizan to cut the deficit to 3-2.
It was as close as the SeaWolves would come though as Binghamton responded with a run in the fourth. Maikis De La Cruz reached on a two out error by Kody Eaves and was plated on a Dom Smith single, making it 4-2. In the fifth a Gibson single drove in Cruzado and Mazzilli later scored on a De La Cruz sacrifice fly, putting Binghamton on top 6-2.
The bullpen did the job from that point as Mike Hepple, David Roseboom and Akeel Morris combined for 4-2/3 innings shutout innings. Jannis went 4-1/3 innings and walked five with four strikeouts and four hits, allowing two runs. Hepple (2-1) collected the official-scorer awarded win and struck out two with three walks over 1-2/3 scoreless innings. Myles Jaye (0-2) took the loss for Erie after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 3-2/3 innings.
Gibson finished 3-for-5 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run and Romero went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI.  
Binghamton will continue the homestand with a new opponent as the Portland Sea Dogs come to town for the first of a three-game series. Monday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. with RHP Robert Gsellman starting for the B-Mets against Portland’s RHP Kevin McAvoy. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:20 P.M. on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Phillip Evans recorded his first career Double-A hit, a single in the fifth…Victor Cruzado’s home run was his first as a B-Met and his first since he went yard at Ft. Myers on July 5, 2015 with St. Lucie…The Mets and SeaWolves concluded a stretch of 8 games against one another in 11 days.
Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

B-METS LOSE 7-2

B-Mets Lose Sixth Straight, 7-2

BINGHAMTON, NY –The Binghamton Mets recorded ten hits but managed only two runs and were dropped by the Erie SeaWolves, 7-2, Saturday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. The B-Mets struck out 11 times in their sixth consecutive loss.
Erie scored early and often and took an early lead in the second. Kody Eaves smacked an RBI double to right, plating Jason Krizan with the SeaWolves’ first run.
Binghamton got its first run in the third thanks to four singles. Stefan Sabol led it off and was moved to third by singles from Kyle Johnson and Derrik Gibson. He came in to score when Maikis De La Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice, tying the game at one. With two outs and De La Cruz moving from first, Niuman Romero’s line drive struck De La Cruz in the leg and he was called out, ending the inning and the threat.
The SeaWolves tacked on two more in the fourth thanks to a two RBI triple from Dominic Ficociello. They followed with one in the fifth, as a Harold Castro double scored Drew Longley.
Erie plated another two runs in the sixth inning with Jason Krizan cranking a leadoff homer off the right field foul pole.  They added one more on a Tyler Bortnick groundout, pushing the lead to 6-1. One more run crossed for the SeaWolves in the seventh as Castro scored when Dean Green bounced into a double play.
The B-Mets added one in the eighth as Dom Smith drove in De La Cruz on an RBI groundout.
Rainy Lara (1-2) took the loss with six runs allowed on seven hits in five innings. Cory Riordan (2-1) won for the SeaWolves, he scattered nine hits over five one-run innings.
Kyle Johnson went 2-for-3 and Derrik Gibson was 2-for-4 to lead the Binghamton offense. For the SeaWolves, Krizan was 4-for-4 with three runs and fell a triple shy of the cycle.
Binghamton will try to avoid its second consecutive series sweep Sunday afternoon at 1:05 P.M. The B-Mets will send the knuckleballer RHP Mickey Jannis to the bump against RHP Myles Jaye for the SeaWolves. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 12:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: The B-Mets have lost six in a row for the first time since a six-game losing streak ended the 2014 regular season…Binghamton batters struck out 11 times, the third straight game with double-digit strikeouts…six of Rainy Lara’s seven hits allowed were extra base hits, seven of Erie’s ten hits went for extra bases.
Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team’s official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman” at bmets.mlblogs.com

RAILRIDERS SUFFER FOURTH STRAIGHT LOSS

Parmelee Homers, RailRiders Fall

SWB Suffers Fourth Straight Loss

Syracuse, N.Y. – Chris Parmelee launched his first home run, but a seven-spot a half-inning earlier doomed his SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) in a 9-4 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) at NBT Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. SWB (8-8) has lost four in a row. With a win on Sunday, Syracuse (8-8) can notch its first-ever sweep of SWB during the Yankees era in a series of three or more games. The Chiefs entered the series with losses in seven of nine.

SWB scored the game’s first run in the fourth inning. Gary Sanchez doubled to right-center, stole third with a shift on for Nick Swisher and scored when Swisher reached on a strikeout/passed ball. In the bottom half of the inning, Syracuse responded. Caleb Ramsey reached on a Swisher error that also allowed Jason Martinson to score from third. Jhonatan Solan then singled Ramsey home for a 2-1 SWB deficit.

In the eighth, Sanchez drove home Ben Gamel with a single for a brief 2-2 deadlock. Syracuse followed with a seven-spot in the home half including two-run doubles by Brian Goodwin and Kevin Keyes while Trea Turner bashed a three-run homer.

Parmelee launched his first home run with SWB in the ninth, a two-run shot to right that rounded out the scoring.

Syracuse reliever Erik Davis (2-0) got the win. SWB reliever Tyler Olson (0-1) suffered the loss.

The three-game series concludes at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday. Right-hander Tyler Cloyd (1-0, 0.57) faces lefty Aaron Laffey (1-0, 1.00).

The RailRiders return home for a three-game renewal of the IronRail Series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) on Monday at 6:35 p.m. The $1 Monday promotion features $1 lawn seats (walk-up only), $1 hot dogs and canine dogs will be allowed entrance for just $1. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

Ben Gamel went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. He leads the team with six steals and lifted his season-long average to .300 in 15 games played. Over his last six games, Gamel has gone 9-for-22 (.409) with three steals and five runs scored.

Gary Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a steal and a run scored. His swipe of third base made for the second on his Triple-A career. The prior theft came on July 23, 2015 at Indianapolis. He has gone 31-for-42 in stolen-base tries on his pro career.

Nine of Sanchez’s 13 hits on the young year have gone for extra bases: six doubles, one triple, two homers.

Aaron Judge finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts to snap an eight-game hitting streak. It marked just his second hitless outing of the season in 15 games played.

The RailRiders have lost four in a row for the first time since dropping four in a row from July 8-11, 2015. That run started with a pair of losses to Syracuse and concluded with successive setbacks at Buffalo. This current four-game skid began with two home losses to Buffalo, and continued with a road setback at Syracuse.

On Sunday, the RailRiders will look to avoid the franchise’s first five-game slide since a six-game skid from June 25-July 1, 2015. That run started with a record-setting home loss to Louisville, 15-2.

    

S.S. SEWARD DEFEATS TRI-VALLEY 11-4

              

  GRAHAMSVILLE--Outstanding pitching by S.S. Seward's Paige Yee and numerous errors by a young Tri-Valley squad led to a 11-4 Seward win last week at Grahamsville.
  The Lady Bears entered the game with a 2-0 overall record and 1-0 in league play while the Spartans were 4-1 overall.
  Seward's  Alexa Roach starting the scoring off for the Spartans in the second inning with a long home run blast over the left center field fence.
  Seward continued racking up runs with 3 in the third inning as Brianna Milz, Sarah Wierzbicki and Paige Yee scored.
  Sophia Augustyn crossed  the plate for a lone Spartan run in the fourth pushing Seward's lead to 5-0.
  Seward's hitting combined with Tri-Valley fielding errors added two runs in the fifth inning, three in the sixth and an additional run in the seventh.
  The Bears got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth on a double by Ashton Krummack a  walk to Briana Mandes and a dropped fly ball error charged to short stop Brianna Milz that loaded the bases.
  Bears Nicole Beach delivered a single to left scoring Krummack.
  The score remained at 11-1 as Tri-Valley entered the bottom of the seventh with Morgan McHugh drawing a walk but was forced out at second on a ground ball. Ashton Krummack drew a walk setting up the scoring highlight of this game for Tri-Valley.
  With two on Bears pitcher Kacie Allison smashed a three-run home run over the left field fence making the final score 11-4.
  For Seward Paige Yee struck out 11, doubled twice and drove in two runs. Alexa Roach added four hits including a home run and two RBI's. Seward's record is now 5-1.
  Kacie Allison also did well on the mound for the Bears striking out seven while her home run drove in three runs. Nicole Beach added an RBI for Tri-Valley who finished this game at 2-1.
  Tri-Valley coach Claire Moore in post-game remarks noted, "we have a very young team that want's to learn and work together and we bounced back from the errors."
  "The errors is what hurt us but our team supports each other and I can't wait to see Seward again," Moore said.
  The young team that coach Moore referred to is minus last years standouts like catcher Mikayla Clearwater, outfielder Angie DiToro and second baseman Katie Jester who all made decisions  not to play this year.
  As a result of veteran players not coming back this year Tri-Valley was forced to bring up players from their junior varsity and modified team which forced the cancellation of the junior varsity team program.
  Seward coach Don Lewis had high praise for pitcher Paige Yee who he said, "struck out 11 batters and was hitting her spots and only gave up that one ball in the seventh but overall only gave up three hits."
  "We had timely hitting, played well as a team and they made the plays they had to make," Lewis added                        
                                        
                                                        

Tri-Valley's Kacie Allison struck out seven in a losing effort to S.S. Seward, 11-4, last week at Grahamsville.

                                          
                                                            

The offensive scoring highlight for the Tri-Valley Bears girls varsity softball team in their 11-4 loss to S.S. Seward came in the seventh inning with Kacie Allison at bat. She is shown here with the ball just approving her bat which resulted in a three-run home run over the left field fence.

                                       

    

TWO GOLF COURSES SHARE MEMBERSHIP

    LIBERTY--The new management team at the Liberty based Sullivan County Golf & Country  have completed renovations on the club house, have named their new restaurant, announced an increase in seasonal membership and have brought together a membership golfing agreement with the Roscoe based Twin Village Golf Club.
  The new restaurant is officially named Oscar Browns and according to master chef and golf course management partner Michael Stoddard at the soft opening of the facility April 20 "we feel this will become Liberty area's hippest new source for drinks, dining, catering and other fun."
  Stoddard pointed out that Oscar Brown's will feature tasty menus at the bar, in the dining room and in their catering facilities.
  Stoddard at the soft opening promised a friendly, trendy and customer focused experience in their bar and restaurant.
  The renovated restaurant includes a new bar area, a banquet room and a new dining room area with an entire new modern look from the previous facility. The Pro Shop is presently still going through renovations.
  A warm friendly crowd greeting the soft opening which will soon be followed by a grand opening in the next couple weeks.
  Stoddard and partner Brian Rourke announced an increase in seasonal memberships which has resulted in an 18-team Wednesday night men's league.
  Rourke acknowledged that the ground crew will be working hard on solutions to improve conditions on the greens.
  The new Sullivan County Golf & Country Club management team made a major announcement and agreement with the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club Board of Directors which allows certificate and season members to play both golf courses with no extra charge except for cart fees.
  "We will honor their memberships and they will honor our membership," Stoddard pointed out.
  Stoddard said this now allows members of both courses to play two courses for the price of one while just paying carts fees.
   Both clubs are also said to be looking at course competition between leagues and tournament competitions.
  The Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is still owned by certificate  members and a board of governors but the new management team consisting of Liberty attorney Brian P. Rourke and former Cobblers Restaurant  owner Michael Stoddard officially took over daily operations on February 1.
  The new management  agreement between Rourke & Stoddard and the unanimous approval of all certificate golf club  members provides the  new management team with a three-year agreement and an option to purchase the property. 
   As an accomplished restaurant owner, Stoddard owned and was the manager and cook at Cobblers Restaurant on Liberty's North Main Street from 2001-2007, was the Pro Shop Manager at the  Sullivan County Golf & Country Club in 2008, was the Food and Beverage Manager at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club from 2009 to 2011, was a chef at the Center for Discovery from 2012-2013.
  Stoddard is assuming the duties of managing both the restaurant, the pro shop and and the upkeep and maintenance of the golf course.   Tony Hirsch will retain the title of head greens-keeper.
  Stoddard  said that his goal for the upcoming  season "is to let the general public know that Sullivan County Golf & Country Club welcomes all players from beginners to experienced players and that everyone can have fun here."
  Certificate members still own this property and if sold each members would receive their share of the sale price.
   If there is no sale of the golf course in the future the certificate members and the board of governors would again be responsible for taking over the management and daily operations.
  Under this new management agreement there will be no future sales of certificate memberships but seasonal memberships, corporate memberships,  and youth memberships will be available. 
     Clubs will be  available  for rent and the pro shop will not sell clothing or golf clubs but will be  equipped with all the items needed for a round of golf.
     The course plays host to four leagues, Monday Men's, Ladies league on  Tuesday, Men's  league on Wednesday and a Mixed league on Thursday.     Golfers who would like to contact the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club may do so at 845-292-9584.   The restaurant can be reached at 845-747-4337.
    Sullivan County Golf & Country Club will have available at least 25 carts for rental.
    This nine hole golf course  offers a whole set of different tees for holes 10-18 and plays to a total yardage of 3,006 yards for nine holes from the men's tees. Par is 36.for men and 39 for women.
     There are no immediate plans to change the design of this 9-hole course at this time.                                                       

                                                                                               

                                                                                                 

Sullivan County Golf & Country Club manager and head chef and manager of the new Oscar Brown's Restaurant Michael Stoddard prepares a meal at the soft opening of the new renovated club house April 20.

                                                  

                                                                                        

Part  of the new flooring in the bar area of Oscar Brown's Restaurant at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is the facilities logo.

                                                              
                                                                                          

                                                                                            

Part of the total renovations at the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club's new Oscar Brown's Restaurant is this section housing the dining room.

                                                                          

                                                                                 

 Sullivan County Golf & Country Club new management partner Brian P Rourke, left, greets CD Trips President Gary Siegel at the April 20 soft opening of Oscar Brown's Restaurant and the renovated club house.

                                                                    

                                                                            

       

SPORTS FACTORY IS GREAT VENUE

                    

WHITE MILLS, PA--Former Sullivan County Rock Hill resident and owner of the Monticello based Pro Prospects Training Center Steve Pinto has moved up into the big leagues with his opening of the Pro-Prospects Sports Factory of Northeast Pennsylvania at White Mills, Pa.
  While moving his family to the Northeastern part of Pennsylvania where his wife Paige is a guidance counselor for Wayne Highlands Central School District the opportunity to expand his athletic training center business became a realty when a large building in White Mills popped up on the horizon.
  All of this reality became a sports training facility in December of last year in the former Chroma Tube factory building which Pinto transformed into a state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot multi-sport training facility.
  Pinto, the sole owner of the sport training complex splits his time between the Monticello baseball-softball complex and the Sports Factory but he admits, "this all would not be possible if I did not have reliable experienced and professional help at both locations."
  The White Mills sports complex provides training and treatment for athletes in a variety of sports, including specialized indoor and outdoor facilities designed for baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse and field hockey.
  The Sports Factory brings two of the areas' established sports skill development services under one roof.
  Pro Prospects Training Center  is one of the most respected baseball and softball skill development academies in the northeast and was founded in 1997 by former  minor league hitting coach Steve Pinto.
  Pinto graduated from Monticello High School in 1986, played three years of professional ball, two years with the Catskill Cougars (95 & 96) and later coached them for two years as their hitting coach under former Detroit Tigers Gate Brown and bench coach Wally Backman.
  Pro Prospects has helped more than 1,000 players reach the collegiate level and more than 100 of their students have gone on to play professionally. The staff of former pro and college players and coaches have  a combined 175 years of coaching  and training experience.
  Pro Prospects is also the Greater Hudson Valley hub for Prep Baseball Report-NY, one of the top scouting services nationwide and provides area ballplayers education on the recruiting process and comprehensive national college exposure.
  Pro Prospects also brings its cutting-edge strength and conditioning service, Athletic Symmetry , headed by Kansas City Royals strength coach Stephen Gamma.
  Gamma, a certified CSCS, and his staff provide assessments, sports performance training , athletic training and corrective therapy and are available for private, small group and team strength and conditioning for athletes of all sports. 
  Pro Prospects' space at White Mills includes four batting cages, arm-action pitching machines, two pitching mounds, long toss tunnels a regulation indoor baseball and softball infield and a 1,600 square foot state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center for athletes of all sports.
  In addition to providing private, small-group and team baseball and softball ball training, this White Mills facility will be available for individual or group and team rentals.
  The Sports Factory features a 150' by 120' indoor field that can be divided into two 120' by 65' fields or a regulation baseball and softball infield, indoor soccer field with indoor soccer leagues, field space also for football, lacrosse, field hockey, wrestling, indoor flag football leagues and ProCare physical therapy.
  Pinto pointed out during a tour of this facility that the Sports Factory features a NFL grade turf with turf quality unequaled among indoor facilities.
  Presently under construction is a cafe with guest seating area.
  High schools presently using the Sports Factory facilities include Sullivan West in New York State and Wallenpaupack School District, Delaware Valley Pa. School District, Honesdale High School, Forest City School District and Western Wayne School District in Pennsylvania. 
  NFL Flag Football leagues is also a part of the sporting activities at The Sports Factory and Wide Receiver Coach Rocco Forgione just completed the Runco Elite Quarterback Academy.
  A complete list of the 2016 camp schedule is available at www.sportsfactorynepa.com or by calling 570-352-3801.

                                                                     
                                                             

Pro Prospects-The Sports Factory of NEPA owner Steve Pinto displays the features of his new Sport Factory facilities at White Mills, Pa.

                                          

                                                    

Just half of the 30,000 sq. foot Sports Factory complex is shown in this photo.
                                   
                                                 

This part of the Sports Factory complex houses the Pro Prospects baseball and softball training facilities.
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Jim Piontek of Fallsburg, right,  a former minor league player for the Catskill Cougers, instructs 10-year-old Clay Chesnut of Beach Lake, Pa., a student in the Honesdale, Pa. school system. Piontek provides baseball coaching skills at both the Monticello and White Mills sports facilities.