Post 519 shows progress in close loss to Middlesex

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   After suffering a 13-2 loss to Middlesex earlier this year, the Monroe Post 519 baseball team was determined to make a better showing the second time around.
   The locals did just that and, despite a loss, looked much improved in a 7-6 setback Monday night. That came on the heels of a 7-0 loss to St. Joe’s, which left Monroe with a 2-8 record.
   "We are better than our record indicates," manager Mike Quaglietta said. "This team has a never-quit attitude and, more importantly, is not intimidated by any team. We have been in most of the games we have played."
   In Monday night’s game, it looked like it might be another blowout when Middlesex took a 3-0 lead after two innings.
   But in the top of the third, Joey Ruopoli led off with a single and eventually scored on Mitchel Litt’s single. Middlesex responded with three more runs in the fourth to make it 6-1, but Monroe would not roll over.
   In the fifth, John Schieda singled and Rich Feldhan (2-for-2, 2 2alks, 2 RBI) hit an RBI double. Angelo Trento followed with an RBI single to make it 6-3.
   Middlesex again tacked on a run, however, and this one would be costly as Monroe’s three-run rally in the seventh fell just short. Feldhan led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a single by Joey Williams (2 hits). Jeff LaPollo (2-for-4) and Dan Palisay then hit back-to-back doubles to make it 7-6. Anthony Modugno walked, but the runners were stranded as the game ended. "Rich Feldhan has been Mr. Consistent for us," Quaglietta said. "He leads the team in hitting (412) and on-base-percentage (.583). He has a locked-in eye at the plate, leading the team with 7 walks.
   "If you look at the better hitters on each team, usually the player with the highest average also leads the team in walks, because he is so locked in at swinging at only his pitches and not the pitches the pitcher wants him to swing at."
   The manager noted that Feldhan has also been solid in right field, with no errors or misplays through the first 10 tames.
   "Feldhan is the first one to be at the field before each game and carries himself as just another player when in fact he is a very special player/young man," Quaglietta said of the Ramapo-bound outfielder.
   Third baseman LaPollo has also swung the bat well with a .364 average and five RBI, while outfielder Ryan Cushman is hitting .313, with a double and triple. Catcher/first baseman Williams is hitting .318, with two doubles and three RBI, and catcher Modugno is hitting .417 in limited time.
   But injuries have been as prevalent as high averages with Post 518, as second baseman Garrett Beyer was involved in a car accident with Modugno on June 18, and will likely miss the rest of the season with a serious laceration to his right arm. Modugno missed three games with a concussion and returned against Middlesex.
   "Without Beyer, the top of our lineup is just not the same," Quaglietta said. "He is the ultimate lead-off batter, always being able to find a way to get on base. Best of all he is a fun to watch. Beyer is always throwing his body around on defense and into bases.
   "His nickname is ‘Dirt Dawg’ for a reason. He always plays 110 percent from his heart."
   For further information on Post 519, log onto www.monroelegion.com.