Tough foes greet Monroe

By: Rich Fisher
wolves.
   Monroe Post 519 made its Middlesex County Senior American Legion detbut last weekend against two of the league’s most established teams.
   Monroe dropped a 13-0 decision to South Brunswick on Friday and a 13-3 decision to South Amboy on Sunday.
   "In our first two games we were slightly overmatched," manager Mike Quaglietta said. "South Amboy and South Brunswick are both established teams comprised of college freshmen and high school seniors."
   In the game against South Brunswick, there were several, historic "firsts" for Post 519. Garrett Beyer became the team’s first base runner when he reached on a missed third strike by the catcher. Rich Feldhan then recorded the first Monroe hit with a line drive single.
   Things looked promising when Rich Feldhan rapped another single to load the bases with one out, but a double play squashed the rally.
   Catcher Anthony Modugno provided a defensive highlight with his arm, as he threw out two runners attempting to steal second base.
   Against South Amboy, Ryan Cushman carved out his own little place in Monroe history by scoring the team’s first run in the first inning. Cushman (2-for-3, triple, double, RBI) tripled and scored on Dan Palisay’s single, as Palisay had the historic first RBI.
   Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the second, Joey Williams (2-for-3) singled, Mitchel Litt sacrificed and Modugno (3-for-3, RBI) singled to tie it. But South Amboy’s bats came alive to blow it open, although shortstop Litt and second baseman Beyer did combine for two double plays.
   "Our team has a lot of heart and desire to play this great game of baseball. We are not intimidated by anyone. This is a fun group for me to coach, I’m lucky to have them."
* * *
   Prior to Sunday’s game, a number of Post 519 players helped instruct the Monroe Buddy Ball League players (for physically challenged players). The Monroe players provided instruction on how to field grounders, throwing and hitting, and then played for one inning.
   "We made the Buddy Ball kids laugh, we laughed and left the field knowing we helped make them feel like ball players," Quaglietta said. "Our players left the field better rounded young men with a feeling in their heart that can never be replaced."
   The players who participated were Len Bergen, Beyer, Cushman, Jeff LaPollo, Matthew Lezzo, Litt, Modugno, Palisay, John Shieda, Angelo Trento and Williams.