Men's Softball League: Independents Rally for Victory Over Somers Discount Liquors

Despite the Somers Discount Liquors (5-6-1) 4-0 lead against the Independents (5-5-1) in the National League bracket of the Yorktown Men's Softball League, the Independents came from behind to win 10-7. The game took place at the 202-No. 2 Lighted Field in Yorktown on June 30.

"We never give up, we always come back," said Mike Castaldo, Independents center fielder.

For Castaldo and his teammates the game didn't look too good early on as Somers Discount Liquors scored the game's first three runs in the top of the second inning. SDL shortstop Chris McBride started the rally with a single and scored on a triple to right field by second baseman Joe Tubiolo, who was hustling all the way around the bases.

"It was a great hit and I was glad I could help my team by using my legs," Tubiolo said.

Tubiolo scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by first baseman Peter Healy. Catcher Ray Tucciarone singled, advanced to third on a base hit by right-center fielder Louie Arlia before scoring on a double by third baseman Brian Doherty.

Tubiolo increased the lead to 4-0 in the fourth when he doubled and eventually scored on an error.

"That was big, it gave us an extra run," Tubiolo said. "I heard their team saying that I was holding up at first so I said, 'You know what, I am going to second' and I took it."

The Independents then rallied to take the lead with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Right fielder Billy Gaffney, first baseman Jim Capone, pitcher Mike Boshnack and catcher Brian Glassman contributed to the rally with singles. Those singles were followed by back to back inside the park home runs from third baseman Mike DePaola and Castaldo, whose blast drove in three runs.

"The guys ahead of me did a great job of getting on base," Castaldo said. "I just got up there and tried to do my job and get them in."

After Somers Discount Liquors rallied to take the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth, the Independents roared back with four runs in the bottom of the inning to go back on top. Highlights of the inning were Castaldo, whose single tied the game, and DePaola, whose base hit gave the Independents the lead back.

"It was the same thing as in my previous at bat," Castaldo said. "One of my teammates was able to get on base and it was my job to get him in. I knew I had to put it in play and when you do that, good things happen."

Castaldo feels his team has the ability to win any game because of the type of players on the squad.

"We have a good mix of guys," Castaldo said. "We got some young guys, we got some old guys. We have the veteran [Boshnack] who's pitching and we got the young guys like me running the bases."

Editor's Note: Independents pitcher Mike Boshnack's name was incorrectly spelled. A correction has since been made.