By Alex Blumer
Enquirer contributor

Storm/Front Porch Saloon scored early and hung on late to claim the A Division title 17-12 Monday over Northern Kentucky Softball.com/Easton at the Metro Softball Championships at Rumpke Park.

"We've been playing better and better as the season goes on," said manager Chris Craddock, who came back from a two-year hiatus to lead the Storm to the win. "This is probably our biggest win."

Northern Kentucky may have had revenge on their mind after an 11-7 defeat at the hands of Storm in Sunday's semifinals, but a 10-run first inning by Storm put Northern Kentucky into a hole they couldn't slug their way out of.

Storm batted around in the bottom of the 1st, taking a 10-0 lead on its first turn through the order, blasting 5 home runs before the second out.

"That was a nice little pad," said pitcher Doug Murphy, who was named the team's MVP. "It's always a group effort."

But Northern Kentucky got it back to 11-5 thanks to 2-run shots from Jason McGuire and Kevin Greene.

Brandon Johnson homered twice for Northern Kentucky.

A three-run blast by Storm's Jason Brown capped off a 5 run third that made it 16-5.

Scottie Moree (.706), Jason Kramer (.867), and Larry Kerns ( 5 HR's and 14 RBI) were all named to the All-Tournament team. Jody Ford, Mike Cook, Steve Klute, David Garrison, Kerns, and Brown all homered for the Storm.

NKY Softball had advanced to the title game by downing PYC/5-Star Sportsplex 18-6 earlier in the evening.

RECREATIONAL DIVISION: HHH Insurance claimed the inaugural Recreational Division crown with a 10-6 victory over Cincinnati Home Loans.

HHH was up 7-2 before a Cincy Home Loans rally cut it to 7-6.

TODAY AT THE MET: The B championship will pit the winner of Cincinnati A's/Loveless Hardwood against Greystone Mortgage at 7:30 p.m.

C and D titles will also be contested Tuesday.