LITTLE LEAGUE Boardman West wins; Poland in state championship contest

EATON -- Boardman West's 11-12-year olds posted an 8-2 victory over West Portsmouth in the Little League state baseball tournament.
Representing District 2, Boardman West scored six runs in the fifth inning to snap a 1-1 tie.
Nine players went to the plate in the rally.
Dan McCarthy, Armani Johnson, Michael Popio and Geoff Marple each had two hits, including McCarthy's two-run triple in the fifth. Mark Carrocce added an RBI double and Nick Schiavoni had a two-run single.
A.J. Caraballo, D.J. Ronci, Johnson and McCarthy combined to pitch a nine-hitter and they struck out six.
Boardman West will play either Wooster or Maumee Friday at 11 a.m.
Poland softball: TALLMADGE -- The Poland 11-12 softball team will play for the state title tonight at 6 after defeating Ashtabula 23-20 Tuesday in the winner's bracket final.
Poland never trailed after scoring five runs in the first inning. Ashtabula rallied several times to keep within three runs during the three-hour contest.
Adriana DiMartino pitched all six innings for Poland.
Ciera Urichich and Jenna Susany had key hits for Poland, and Dayna Blangero and Jessica McBride homered.