reporter: Kevin Hanlon

May 9, 2011 - At Rockland Community College
Championship Game

GAME 6 - #1 - Sullivan 12, #4 Rockland 6

In a game that took nearly four hours Monday night, Sullivan County Community College wasted little time proving it had the most prolific lineup in Region XV Division II play this season.  The Generals continued their superlative offensive attack by blasting four Rockland pitchers for a total of 16 hits in a 12-6 championship game victory.  In all, the Generals scored 40 runs and collected 42 hits in three tournament games.

In the clincher, with Rockland building momentum in the bottom of the seventh, tournament Most Valuable Player Efrain Bautista smashed a Jordan Kolinsky pitch over the centerfield wall for a 3-run home run.  His shot put the Generals back up by 6 runs and served as crushing blow to the Hawks' comeback effort.  In the top of the inning, Rockland scored three runs to close the gap to 9-6.  With two runs already in on a balk and a Wade Poppe single, Anthony Gokey lined a single to left field.   Mike Stevens scored on the play, however John Emmitt Griffin was cut down at the plate thanks to a great throw from Kidany Mendoza.

After Bautista's blast, Eugenio Mesa replaced Sullivan starter Craig Miller, and pitched the final two innings.  He held the Hawks scoreless while striking out three and walking two.

Three Generals had three hits apiece, with Bautista going 3-for-5 with 5 RBI.  Corey Hamula and Stephen Sunday went 3-for-5 and 3-for-4 respectively.  Both netted two RBI each.  Kolinsky and Jared Croce each finished strong tournaments.  Croce had three hits (3-for-5) and had an RBI.  Kolinsky added two hits and was more than serviceable out of the bullpen.  Other than the three earned runs he gave up, the Clarkstown South graduate, struck out seven over five innings of work.

Sullivan (19-21), which won their second Regional title in four years, will compete in the NJCAA Northeast District Tournament May 14-15.  Rockland finished their season at 19-19.