Youngstown opens tournament with win

It was the first of four games for the Youngstown All Stars in pool play.
LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Corey Collins of Laurel, Pa., pitched a three-hitter, striking out 11 batters in leading the Youngstown All Stars to a 4-0 victory over Cranston, R.I., Saturday in the Babe Ruth (13-15) World Series at David Story field.
"Collins is our number one pitcher, with an 80-plus mile-per-hour fastball," Youngstown manager Tony Gorvet said. "One of his pitches registered 86 today.
"He didn't have his best stuff, but still managed to strike out 11."
Scoring early
Youngstown scored in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Matt Dado of Shenango singled and Collins reached base on an error. Matt Katich of Mohawk also reached base on an error to load the bases. Nick Turco reached base on a fielder's choice as Dado scored.
Chuck Olesky of Austintown led off the third inning with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Dado.
With one out in the fifth inning, Dado singled, stole second and scored as Katich singled.
Frank Rosile of Hubbard led off the sixth inning with a single and stole second. The next two batters struck out. Koch singled, putting runners at first and third. Rosile scored on a single by Olesky.
Cranston put two runners on base in the second and fourth innings. Collins struck out Ryan Rice to end the threat in the second.
In the fourth, Collins struck out the first two Cranston batters. Steven Russo singled for his team's first hit. Justin Corso struck out, but reached base on a passed ball. Olesky caught Rice's long fly ball on the warning track in center field.
"Our defense was outstanding, turning two double plays, and Olesky made that big catch on the warning track for us in the fourth inning," said Gorvet.
"Good pitching and defense played like I expected today," said Gorvet. "They didn't let us down."
Dado went 3-for-3 and drove in a run, while Olesky hit a pair of singles.
Enjoyable experience
Gorvet said the Youngstown All Stars had been in Longview since Wednesday where they had enjoyed a parade, ceremony and banquet.
"Brian Holman, who pitched for the Seattle Mariners back in the early '90s, was guest speaker at the banquet," said Gorvet.
It was the first of four games that Youngstown has to play in the 12-team pool competition, being contested in two divisions through Wednesday.
The top three in each division will play single elimination, with the championship game set for next Saturday.
Youngstown won't play today but will meet El Segundo, Calif., Monday at 2 p.m. Steve Gruver (2-0) of Austintown will be the starting pitcher for Youngstown.
El Segundo came out of the Pacific Southwest regional.