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Monday night's Junior Girls Softball All-Star match up with Middle Village proved to be an eye opening experience;for both teams. For the FH Junior Girls it was a look at the would be future of our own fledgling program; for Middle Village, a surprising display of talent from Forest Hills talented and tenacious girls' squad who, despite toughing it out through 5 scoreless innings, never showed signs of a weakening spirit. Starting pitcher Katherine lasted 2 1/3 innings, posting 1 strikeout and giving up 2 hits, 5 walks and 5 runs (though only 3 were earned). Help in the put-outs department came from Daniella who snagged a pop up at short stop and ground outs to second baseman Christiana and Meghan at first. With bases loaded and one out in the third inning, Lizzy came in for middle relief. She managed to put out the fire giving up just 2 more runs. She held court for 2 more innings (2 2/3 innings pitched) allowing no runs through innings 4 and 5. Lizzy logged 4 strikeouts and gave up 2 walks and 4 hits. Assisting Lizzy with put-outs were Christiana and Megan. Amanda took the ball, in relief, for the final inning. Amanda snagged an infield fly and managed 2 strikeouts, but gave up 4 walks, 3 hits that converted to 4 runs before the final inning was finished. Through the first 5 innings at the plate the FH junior girls recorded only 3 hits, a single apiece from Ariella and Katherine and a double from Casey. Also reaching base on walks (there were 6 after 5 innings) were Sara, Gabby, Christiana, Amanda and Lizzy. But none of these would convert to a run. With one last chance, and more than a ray of hope, the bottom of the 6th was led off by Taylor. After a two pitches were thrown for a 1-1 count, Taylor blasted an in the park, solo home run that went deep into the tall grass. Following Taylor, Sara and Christiana both reached base on walks. They would stay put when Megan flied out at short. In the next at bat, Katherine made it to first on a fielder's choice error that also allowed a speedy Sara to score from second with a perfectly executed just-under-the-tag slide into home. The FH dugout went nuts and chanted for the rally to go on but instead it hit the Middle Village wall with the next batters striking out and flying out to end the game. Though it was a loss in the books, it was an exciting and beautifully played game; one of the best I've seen this season and one I was proud to be a part of. Thanks, girls, for giving me such a memorable experience. I'm proud of each and every one of you: Amanda, Ariella, Casey, Chris, Daniella, Gabby, Jaclyn, Katherine, Lizzy, Meghan, Sara and Taylor. Thanks also, to the coaches who contributed their invaluable assistance, Danny, Kim, Larry and Mike. Coach Andrew

Five Star Reality had a very exciting season, filled with many close games and a lot of outstanding performances. All of the players showed a great deal of sportsmanship, maturity and a desire to play and win. They supported each other and learned that you win and lose as a team and that each player has an important role to fill. For the first time the league played with windmill and modified fast pitch, and the players adapted very quickly. Juliet and Linda, with help from Aliza, provided some outstanding performances from the mound, while learning the new pitching styles. The team MVP was Juliet who lead the team with 24 RBI's and a .645 batting average. Close on her heels was Amanda, who drove in 11 runs with 11 hits (a feat many major leaguers would be proud of) and a .478 batting average, and Ilise, who lead the team in HR's with 4, and drove in 13 while batting .526 . Natalie drove in 8 runs (.350 BA), Casey drove in 7, Linda (.313 BA) and Mariah had 6 each, Brittany drove in 5, Aliza 4, and Gabby and Melisa had 3 each.. The most improved player was Casey, whose hitting and defense really progressed during the year. First year player Mariah was the runner up as she improved with each game. Our defensive player of the year was Gabby, who is quite possibly the best outfielder in the league with a fantastic throwing arm. Gabby started a triple play (possibly the first in FHYA softball history), with a great catch and throw. Melissa played in all the outfield positions, while Brittany filled in at short and third. Ilise played a mean first base. Aliza played a good short stop, but was willing to give herself up and move to the outfield to help the team. Amanda was great at second and at first. While Linda manned the hot corner at third base with ease. To the players and parents it was really an honor to have the opportunity to work with each of the young women on the team, I thank you all. Coach Richie

by PKW - Ghost Writer Budde French defeats The Marshals in the American Divisional Title game for The Majors and earns the right to play in the Championship game. The game was very close early on with both pitchers very stingy on runs. Brian opened the hitting off for The Marshals with a one out single in the top of the first but did not advance any further as Sam struck out the next two batters. James answered back for The Marshals by striking out the side in the bottom of the first and the battle was on. The Marshals loaded the bases in their half of the second but could not push anyone across the plate. Budde drew first blood in the bottom of the inning when Ronny led off with a single and was doubled in by Yuval, who was left stranded as the next three batters were set down in order. The Marshals answered back with a manufactured run to tie the game in the third. Greg walked to lead off the inning, stole second and moved to third on a ground out. Timmy then walked to put runners on the corners and Greg scored when Danny hit into a fielder's choice to short. Budde bounced right back in the third when Jacob walked with one out and Daniel then reached on an error. Brett stepped up to the plate and delivered a triple to bring them both home and giving Budde a 3 to 1 lead with still one out and a runner at third. The Marshals put an end to that rally when Brian ranged back from first and caught a fly in short right field and threw to Timmy blocking the plate - nailing the runner trying to tag from third - a double play! The Marshals had men in scoring position in the fourth and a lead off walk in the fifth but Ronnie (inserted for Budde in the fourth) pitched out the jams. In the fifth after Greg walked and was erased on a fielder's choice, an errant pickoff throw to first sailed into right field corner. The runner was trying to go from first to third on the error, but Diego, alertly backing up the play in right, threw to second and Sam ran him down trying to go to third getting Budde out of the inning. Budde added an insurance run in the fourth when Ronnie doubled and moved to third and Yuval knock him in on a ground out to third. The game was still a close 4 to 1 in favor of Budde until the bottom of the fifth when they broke it open with 3 more. Diego was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and after one out, Daniel tripled him in. Brett drove Daniel home with a ground out to second. Sam walked with 2 outs and Ronny brought him home with a triple of his own. Even with the score 7 to 1, The Marshals did not go quietly. In the top of the sixth they loaded the bases with only one out on a single from Danny and walks to James and Anthony. Ronny regained his composure and got the next two batters without giving up any runs and sealed the victory for Budde. Nice job to both teams who both played their best and with their hearts! With the victory, Budde French has earned a rematch of last years Championship game against Advantage Capital, 2005 Major League Champs. I'm sure Budde will look to avenge last year loss to Advantage in that game and I'm sure Advantage will be fit for the challenge. Who will win is in the stars but good luck to both teams who have played hard to get there.

Tell us who you think will win the FHLL Championship Game, you can vote as many times as you like.

6/12 - A new milestone in the history of Girls Softball at Forest Hills..... We played the first ....of many more to come.....games against an outside team. Last night our senior all star team took on the powerhouse senior girls of RGMVM. These gals were 13 and 14 year olds that have been playing together for three years. We were picked to lose badly and those thoughts were even more of a concern to manager J.R. Nocerino as the visiting coach upon arrival stated that he could not play on field one as his girls would be constantly putting the ball over the fence... Well we quickly got out of the gate and when all was over we were triumphant with a 13 to 9 victory. Great defense was played by all of our players and our offense was boosted by Kat's 2 for 2 with 3 rbi...a homer and a triple. Lillian was 2 for 3, Juliet was 1 for 1 with 2 rbi, and Amanda 1 for 1 with an rbi. Seiko added 2 rbi....and Tianyi pitched a wonderful game and was a defensive gem off the mound. Rounding out the team were Tiana, Michelle B, Ilise, Natalie, Michelle C, Gabby and Jessie. Adding to the coaching staff was Annette , Richie, and Tom....all very instrumental in the sucess of the game and of the whole season.