WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. July 21, 2004: Ardlsey's Maggie Goldberg's diving backhand tumbling snare of  tailing liner in the left center field, choked off a 7th inning rally by the Fire and Ice Storm, enabling the Hudson River Parents to defeat the Fire and Ice Storm of Long Island, 5-3, this afternoon in 90 degree heat and humidity at  Loudoun Virginia's Trailside Park complex at the 2004 PONY Nationals Tournament of Champions.

Ray Frederick and Joe Carrabello's club plays Thursday afternoon in bracket play to see if they can keep their run going.

The Panthers won behind the pitching of Lagrange's Michelle Barone who went all the way for the win. The Panthers, a first year team are now 21-13 on the season. Valhalla's Meg Davidson drove in a run with a single in the first inning. Maggie Goldberg squeezed home a second run in the 5th and Brewster's Danielle Baciano squeezed home another run in the 5th inning to make it 3-0. Three errors in the sixth gave the Panthers the runs they won by.

Barone went seven innings pitching out of a second and third situation in the 4th, and a basesloaded 1 out situation in the sixth. A runner was on in the seventh and 1 in, and the score 5-3 when the Storm's big boppette blasted one high and deep to left center. Goldberg off at the Dong of the bat raced into left center launched herself parallel to the grass, glove stretched out backhanded got the drive in the webbing, tumbled to her back holding on. CATCH! She saved a certain triple and perhaps a homer by her "circle-it-in-the-scorebook" catch. Instead of 5-4 and tying run on third. It was two out. Runner on first.

It was the best catch in fastpitch this reporter has seen, ranking with the great play a Greenwich player made on White Plains Cyndi Carheghi four years ago in White Plains night game.

Danielle Basciano also made a great leaping one hand grab of a liner just behind second base on the grass for another great play.