Airport bar captures softball crown at Doug’s
By Tim “Shoe” Sullivan
PORTAGE COUNTY – Airport Bar of Stevens Point brought out the heavy lumber en route to a convincing 23-2 victory over Cars-On-10. The win earned Airport the outright championship in Monday Night Co-Ed softball action at Moore Barn Memorial in beautiful Buena Vista. The Buddy Berry League is run by Doug’s Sports Pub.The Airporters attack featured 24 hits in five innings.
The champs got the ball rolling in the top of the first with four runs. Adam Lee, Megan Wiczek, Garrett Karnowski, and Meg Lee all scored on a bunch of hits. Winning pitcher Mark Leatherman slammed the door on the Cars in the bottom of the first.
Airport added two more runs in the top of the second when Abby Hucke singled and strolled home on Leatherman’s 2-run homer to center. The Cars went quietly in their half of Inning #2.
Four more runs came in for Airport in the third. Garrett Karnowski and Meg Lee singled and Markus Kliefgen went yard to left. Tyler Mader went deep two batters later. Leatherman stymied the Cars with two singles in the bottom of the third, bringing the tally to 10-0 after three.
The winners went nuts in their half of the fourth with thirteen runs crossing the plate. They came up with ten hits, and both Markus Kliefgen and Tyler Mader smacked grand slam homers. The Cars got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Austin Thomas and Eddie Marsh scored following hits by Steph Thomas and Jose Lupercio. That ended the scoring.
Onlooker Robby Armatoski noted: “I was on injured reserve for the whole season, but I’m really proud of our team. They really came through all season”.
Airport finished with a 9-2 record.
AIRPORT BAR: 4 hits: Adam Lee, Meg Lee. 3 hits: Garrett Karnowski, Markus Kliefgen. 2 hits: Mikayla Kliefgen, Tyler Mader, Abby Hucke, Mark Leatherman. 1 hit: Megan Wiczek, Kasey Dombrowski. Doubles: Adam Lee, Karnowski, Leatherman.
Triples: Mikayla Kliefgen, Adam Lee. Home Runs: Leatherman, Markus Kliefgen (3-run; grand slam); Tyler Mader (solo, grand slam). CARS ON 10: 2 hits: Austin Thomas, Jose Lupercio. 1 hit: Christopher Ashland, Steph Thomas, Corey Blake, Eddie Marsh, Steph Timmel.
Double Down blasted defending champion Sloppy Swats in the early tilt by the score of 12-2. Jake Erickson led the way with four hits including two doubles and a home run. Cheyenne Ziska was 3 for 3 including a triple. Brandon Netzer also went 3 for 3.
Adding two hits each for the Downers were Brooke Zimmer and Kevin Horvath. Netzer and Ashley Radmer doubled.
Winning pitcher Matt Erickson held the Swats to six hits. Jesse Schuler homered and Rachel Graves singled and came home on Nate Pezewski’s double.
Swats fan Matt Barden commented: “It was unreal! Everything the Swats hit was right at someone, and a lot of Double Down’s hits were barely out of reach of the fielders.”
Following the nightcap, Swats manager Justin Scott said: “Hey, our hat’s off to Airport. They deserved to take the crown this year.” Umpire Jesse Higgins added: “Everyone had a great time, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The 2021 season actually finishes up on August 9, but Airport has clinched the title.