KANE - The Warren Nationals Boys Majors all-star team started with a bang on Monday.
The Nationals put together a three-run second inning, two-run third, and added six runs in the fourth for an 11-0 four-inning win over host Kane to open the Little League 11-and-12-year-old boys baseball tournament.
Adam Irwin and Kolten Johnson combined to throw a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in four innings to hold off Kane's bats.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler
A leg up
Warren Americans Boys Minors all-star pitcher Ben Salapek kicks and delivers a pitch in a Little League all-star tournament game against Ridgway on Monday at Betts-Jackson Field.
For the Nationals, Irwin, Adam Munksgard and Evan Tremblay had two hits each on offense.
Munksgard's two-run double got things started in the second, and Tremblay knocked him home with a double.
In the third, Munksgard's second RBI double keyed the inning and Warren led 5-0 after three.
Tremblay added a triple to start the fourth and, after Tyler Mahood and Johnson singled, Adam Pascuzzi doubled. Irwin added to the extra-base hit parade with a two-run double and the rout was on.
The Warren Nationals host the Bradford Americans at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Farm Colony Complex. The Warren Americans - the other local 11-and-12 team - received a first-round bye and also play on Thursday vs. Cameron County at Betts-Jackson.
Warren Nationals 032 6 - 11 8
Kane 000 0 - 0 0
2b-Adam Irwin (W), Adam Munksgard (W) 2, Adam Pascuzzi (W), Evan Tremblay (W) 3b-Tremblay (W). WP-Irwin.
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Girls Majors
Warren 12, St. Marys 1
ST. MARYS - The second time around.
Warren came out with first-game jitters in a 11-and-12-year-old Little League all-star tournament loss to St. Marys over a week ago.
This time around - after wins over Bradford and Brookville, Warren blasted St. Marys, 12-1, in an elimination game on the road.
Rachel Wilson threw the complete-game four-hitter, striking out five, and was also 4-for-4 at the plate. She made a couple nice defensive plays as well, as did centerfielder Maddie Cratty on the defensive end.
Offensively, Warren put up a seven spot in the top of the fifth to break open a 3-1 game. Wilson and Taige Honhart singled, Emily Grove doubled, Chelsea Wees singled, and Rachel Cecco had a big two-out double in the inning.
Honhart and Wees each finished with three hits in the win, and Kelsey Kraft spun a beautiful bunt off the chalk for a single that led to the third run in the fourth inning.
Warren is among three teams left in the 10-team tourney. Warren plays at Punxsutawney at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the losers bracket final.
The winner of that game would have to beat winners bracket winner DuBois twice for the District 10 title.
Warren 101 172 - 12 15
St. Marys 001 000 - 1 4
2b-Rachel Wilson (W) 2, Margo Loutzenhiser (W), Emily Grove (W), Rachel Cecco (W). 3b-Josie Smith (S). WP-Wilson. LP-Rebekka Bauer.
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Boys Minors
Ridgway 12, Warren Americans 10
After a win to start the Little League 9-and-10-year-old boys baseball tournament on Saturday, the Warren Americans faced a little adversity on Monday.
The Americans trailed 4-0 after a half inning, 8-3 after three and 12-4 after 5 1/2 innings, but showed the heart of a champion even in a loss.
The Americans scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth, but fell just short of a win.
The Americans will try to battle back again, from the losers bracket at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Smethport/Mt. Jewett at the Farm Colony Complex.
The Warren Nationals - the other local 9-and-10-year-old all-star team - will also play at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Kane at Betts-Jackson after suffering a 15-3 loss in its first game on Monday at Bradford. No other details were reported.
With the Americans trailing 12-4 in the bottom of the sixth at Betts-Jackson, Drew Williams had a one-out hit, and Ridgway got the second out on the next play. With two outs, Anthony Reynolds reached on an error, and Ben Salapek was hit by a pitch. Then Ryan Rafalski, Mitchell Grosch, Micah Passmore and Tyler Gustafson had consecutive hits to extend the game; Grosch and Gustafson had doubles. Grosch finished with three hits, and Rafalski, Passmore and Williams had two each in the loss.
Ridgway 404 103 - 12 9
Warren 102 016 - 10 11
2b-Mitchell Grosch (W), Micah Passmore (W), Tyler Gustafson (W), Jake Wickett (R). WP-Haydn Yeager. LP-Grosch.