LAKE HUNTINGTON – Lake Huntington was buzzing this past Saturday. Parents and spectators from Sullivan and Orange County filled the stands, and others came prepared with portable folding chairs to attend Sullivan West’s Annual Baseball/Softball Tournament. The Monticello Panthers baseball and softball teams took on the Deposit/Hancock Eagles and Burke Catholic Eagles in consolation games. Panthers’ baseball lost 12-10 to Deposit in a close, competitive matchup. On the softball diamond, Burke narrowly defeated the Panthers in a fierce 13-inning contest that saw the score tied three times. The Eagles confidently clinched an 11-10 victory after a hard fought battle that lasted over two hours.

The host Bulldogs’ teams defeated their opponents earlier in the day to put both teams through to the championship round. SW baseball took on the Port Jervis Raiders. The Raiders held the Bulldogs scoreless through the middle innings after allowing the home team just one run in the bottom of the second. The Raiders led 5-1, a lead that would only increase as the action continued. By the bottom of the sixth inning, the Raiders had increased their lead to 12-1, winning the game under the mercy rule in the sixth inning. Port Jervis pitcher Chase Burton gave up only seven hits in the game. Kevin Mesnick, Kayden Watch, and Joseph Olenick all contributed to the Raiders’ win. Alec Hubert and Dylan Scardefeld had two hits each for the Bulldogs. 

 The Lady Bulldogs upset the Yellowjackets 13-1 in five. SW’s Kearstin Knapp hit a double to bring in the first run of the game. The Bulldogs’ offense had a busy day with Rowan Hubbert, Sam Hellerer, Meghan Kelly and Mary Chellis also chipping in. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bulldogs scored five runs off just two hits including a home run to center field by Chellis, and an additional run off a walk later in the inning. Olivia Gonzalez had 1 RBI for the Yellowjackets, and Madison Gaeta went 2-for-3 in the loss.