By Rob Potter
MONGAUP VALLEY — Both of the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League (SCWSL) games played on Monday night at Edward M. Collins Memorial Park in Mongaup Valley ended early due to the league’s 15-run mercy rule.
In the evening’s opening game, The Nugget, a “B” Division team, defeated New Hope, an “A” Division team, 17-1, in five innings.
In the second contest, Charlie’s Angels, an “A” Division team, topped Sonny’s Service Center, a “B” Division team, 21-6, in five innings.

Early lead carries The Nugget to a big victory

The Nugget wasted little time in taking control in its game versus New Hope. The Nugget scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning and added a run in the bottom of the second to grab a 7-0 lead.
New Hope (2-5) got on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Tammy Sondermeyer started the inning with a base hit and scored moments later when Lori Kimmes hit a bloop single.
But The Nugget (5-2) responded with two runs in the bottom of the third. Leadoff batter Jessie Ashcraft reached base with an infield single. She scored when the next batter, Teresa Colvin, singled to left field and advanced to third base on an error.
Colvin crossed home plate on Karen Warden’s single.
The Nugget ended the contest by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Nicole Hildebrandt and Warden had RBI singles and Ashcraft hit a two-run double to give The Nugget a 13-1 advantage.
After Sue Sakell earned an RBI when she reached base on a fielder’s choice and Ashley Soules singled, Lacey Kehlenbeck ripped the ball down the left field line. Sakell and Soules scored easily on the hit and Kehlenbeck sprinted around the bases for a game-ending, three-run, inside-the-park home run.

Charlie’s Angels stop Sonny’s Service Center

Charlie’s Angels (3-4) used a quick start on the way to handing Sonny’s Service Center its first loss of the season.
In the top the first inning, sisters Analey Dietrich and Shannon Dietrich each had an RBI single to give Charlie’s Angels a 2-0 advantage.
Sonny’s Service Center responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first to take a 4-2 lead. Leadoff batter Shannon Weigand walked and then scored on a double by Deb Noecker.
Noecker scored two batters later when Maureen Johnson singled to right field. Johnson and Valentina Babich both scored when Jessie Simmons reached base on an error.
However, Charlie’s Angels took the lead for good in the top of the second. With one out, Cindy Ellmauer hit an infield single. She then scored when Emily Zier blasted a triple to left field. Zier scored the tying run when Robyn Gannon hit a bloop double.
RBI singles by Beth Fanning, Shannon Dietrich and Analey Dietrich gave Charlie’s Angels a 7-4 advantage.
Sonny’s Service Center (6-1) closed to within two runs at 7-5 in the bottom of the second. Carly Sklar began the frame with an infield hit and scored when Jeanne Melchick hit into a fielder’s choice.
Sonny’s Service Center made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third as Noecker crossed the plate on a single by Simmons.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, Charlie’s Angles put 14 runs on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Terri Ward belted a three-run double to left field and scored on a single by Christine Decker to push her team’s lead to 11-6.
Ward had an RBI single later in the frame, as did Jessica Bradley, Analey Dietrich, Leanne Mangabang and Diane Staves.
Staves scored the final run of the night for Charlie’s Angels on a double by Zier.
Melchick led off the bottom of the fifth for Sonny’s Service Center and promptly reached base with an infield single. But Staves, the Charlie’s Angels pitcher, retired the next three batters to end the game.