Daily Times, In The Community: MRC/Showwithjoe.com wins USA Softball of PA Class D1 State Title

By Harry Chaykun, For Digital First Media

MRC/Showwithjoe.com of the Marcus Hook Sunday Softball League recently won the USA Softball of PA Men's Slow Pitch Class D1 state championship tournament in Drifton.

It marked the third consecutive season in which a team from District 6, which includes Delaware County, earned a state title.

Among the members of the team, which was coached by Richie Malascalza and Al Perkins, were Brian and Tony Leon, Chris Zizza, Calvin Butcher Jr., Dan Lucas, Bill Tobin, Joe and Anthony Yannuzzi, Joe Kelly, Chris Kerstetter, Mike Flaherty, Ryan Duke, Mike Ferguson, Ron Duranto Jr. and Rob "Pee Wee" Stinson.

"The defense was just unbelievable," Malascalza said. "Ryan Duke was solid on the mound and with the glove. We ran a five man infield – with Chris Kerstetter at first base, Mike Ferguson at second, Mike Flaherty at third, Joe Kelly at shortstop, and Calvin Butcher Jr. as the fifth man.

"Billy Tobin, Chris Zizza and Tony Leon crushed it in the outfield, and Dan Lucas and Brian Leon rotated at catcher and extra hitter. Anthony Yannuzzi was our first man off the bench and had a game-winning, three-run pinch homer."

Zizza and Tobin both hit .722 in the tournament with one home run apiece. Tobin's homer was a grand slam. Duke had a .676 batting average and earned eight pitching decisions, and Lucas (three homers) and Butcher Jr. both batted .666.

Brian Leon, who also had three home runs, hit .647 and Kelly's average was .606. Flaherty had a .533 average, Kerstetter batted .531 with six home runs, and Tony Leon (three homers) and Ferguson both batted .500.

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Pictured in the front row (from left to right); Brian Leon, Chris Zizza, Tony Leon, Calvin Butcher Jr., Dan Lucas and Richie Malascalza

Pictured in the back row (from left to right); Billy Tobin, Joey Yannuzzi, Al Perkins, Joe Kelly, Chris Kerstetter, Mike Flaherty, Ryan Duke, Mike Ferguson, Ronnie Duranto Jr., Rob "Peewee" Stinson and Anthony Yannuzzi