On Saturday, November 21st, the Leland Police Department took on the Leland Fire Department in their 4th annual charity softball game to benefit the The game was dedicated to Wilmington Police Officer Richard Mathews who tragically lost his life this year in the line of duty. Dennis Mathews, the father of Officer Mathews, was in attendance and threw out the first pitch. Wilmington Police Deputy Chief Conklin and several other WPD officers were in attendance, along with Town Councilwoman Brenda Boseman and Leland Police Chief Tim Jayne.
The teams appeared evenly matched after the first inning with the score tied at 1 but LPD quickly pulled ahead and scored 26 additional runs to the Fire Departments 5 runs. Notable performers included Rick DellaPia and Josh Spence, who went 3 for 4 and John Holman and Jonathan Hall, both hitting triples in the game. Michael Landen was given the MVP award for going 4 for 4 and, in particular, for his defensive talent displayed in the outfield which included a spectacular diving catch for an out made during the sixth inning.Though this was the 4th year the Leland Police Department beat the Fire Department, it was for a good cause, collecting 60 plus toys and over a hundred dollars for the charity. It was also another opportunity for emergency responders to get together and enjoy a spirited game and camaraderie.
Special thanks are extended to Sgt Tom Tilman (WPD) for his solo bag pipe performance of Amazing Graze dedicated to Officer Mathews, TC Melton (Wal-Mart) for singing the National Anthem, Chaplain Ann Gordon (LPD) for the opening prayer and the United States Marine Corps for the presentation of the colors. Also, grateful acknowledgment is given to Hailey Winslow (
(Photographs courtesy James Bullock)
