Mulligan’s/IAMA wins one for ‘The Birdman’

It was the opening playoff game in the Monmouth County Senior Softball League and Mulligan’s/IAMA had decided to dedicate the game to "The Birdman."

Donnie Bertleson, known as "The Birdman," had passed away earlier in the week and the senior loop champs remembered the brother of Mulligan’s/IAMA’s outfielder Buddy Bertleson with a 22-12 victory against rival Higgins Funeral Home of Freehold.

Mulligan’s/IAMA was forced to come from behind, but when it did, it was with vengeance.

Higgins had scored five times in the top of the first inning, sparked by John Vitiello’s home run.

The champs retaliated with four runs as Frank Trenkle tripled and was singled home by Rod Rodziewicz. After Pete Smith was pitched to carefully, he drew a base on balls. Higgins’ strategy backfired as Pete Travers unloaded a three-run home run.

Mike Dempsey singled, followed by another Trenkle triple, and Russ Casey’s hit knocked him in as Mulligan’s/IAMA grabbed the upper hand.

Higgins tied the score at seven with a pair of runs in the top of the third, but Mulligan’s/IAMA erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the inning. Jim Hewittson’s three-run home run was the big blow.

The winners scored four more times in the fourth inning, including a three-run home run by Smith and Tony Vodola’s solo shot.

Higgins could only close the gap to 21-11 in the fifth, but Casey closed the chapter with a home run, giving Mulligan’s/IAMA its last run.

Trenkle, Rodziewicz and Bill McKelvey each had four hits for the winners. Casey, Vodola, Bertleson and Dempsey each had three.

Joe Iorio led Higgins with four hits while Vitiello and Dave Warner had three apiece.