KANE - It didn't take long for the Warren Americans Boys Minors all-star team to get going.
After a scoreless first inning, Warren scored five runs in the second, and scored in every inning the rest of the way on Saturday. The Americans came home with a 10-6 Little League all-star tournament-opening win at Kane.
Tyler Gustafson, Andrew Beyer and Ben Salapek had hits in the five-running bottom of the second. After Kane scored four runs on two hits to tie the score at 5-5, Gustafson's RBI double scored Micah Passmore in a two-run bottom of the third, and Warren would never look back.
Article Photos
Photo submitted to the Times Observer
Boys Minors Americans all-star team
The Warren Boys Minors Americans all-star team (1-0) will continue all-star play against Ridgway at 6 p.m. Monday at Betts-Jackson. Team members include, front row from left, Ryan Rafalski, Ryan Arnold, Hunter Loomis, Drew Williams and Tyler Gustafson. Middle row, Andrew Beyer, Mitch Grosch, Micah Passmore, Nick Hussey, Ben Salapek and Anthony Reynolds. Back row are coach Jason Rafalski, coach Tim Williams and manager Jim Grosch. Missing from the photo is coach Dan Passmore.
Hits by Mitchell Grosch, Gustafson and Ryan Arnold upped the lead to 8-5 after four, and a Beyer triple started a two-run fifth for more cushion for the 9-and-10-year-old all-stars. Hunter Loomis, Salapek and Ryan Rafalski added hits in the inning.
Warren's pitching held on and the Americans next host Ridgway in the winners bracket at 6 p.m. Monday at Betts-Jackson Field in Warren.
Gustafson finished with three hits, and Salapek, Arnold and Beyer had two each in the 13-hit attack.
Fact Box
Kane 104 001 - 6 4
Warren 052 12x - 10 13
2b-Tyler Gustafson (W). 3b-Andrew Beyer (W). WP-Nick Hussey. LP-Whiteman.
Nick Hussey started and threw three innings for the win. He allowed two hits and three walks, striking out seven. Salapek relieved him, striking out four in 2 2/3 innings. He allowed just two hits and one run. Passmore threw to one batter to end the game in the combined four-hitter.