Five runs in the fifth inning sealed the deal for Rye Liquor over Uncle Henry's in Game 1 of men's softball B league action Tuesday.
Rye Liquor took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Uncle Henry's tied it in the top of the second on a Jay Zaccaria triple.
Uncle Henry's kept their streak alive in the top of the fifth to lead 4-2 before Rye Liquor crept back in the bottom of the inning to lead 5-4 on a Jim Hanigan base hit that brought in Rob Gillick and Brian Gillick.
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Rye Liquor scored two more runs before the inning was out to go ahead 7-4 on a Paul Cherrone base hit to bring in Steve Fier.
Rich Verille's run was the final one for Rye Liquor, as the team finished with an 8-4 victory.
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Uncle Henry's Head Coach Mike Fiore was pleased with his teammates' effort against Rye Liquors, who finished the regular season in first place.
Fiore said that it is always a tough game each time the two teams face each other.
"It was definitely a see-saw battle," he said.
Rye Liquor Head Coach Steve Verille said his team's success was due to crucial hitting production.
"We got a lot of big hits," he said.
"In the finals everyone gets a little bit on edge," he said of the competitive tension between the two teams.
Pat Gillick pitched seven innings for Rye Liquor as did Anthony Russo for Uncle Henry's.
Second place Uncle Henry's has reached the finals for the first time in nine years.
Rye Liquor can clinch the B league title in Game 2 next Tuesday at Rye Recreation Park at 6:15 p.m. If Uncle Henry's wins the second game of the series, Game 3 will be Thursday at 6:15 in the same location.
