Poland girls win, 2-0, in LL regional tourney

Pitchers Kasie Serich and Emily Chandler combined to foil Illinois on a one-hitter.

AKRON — Kasie Serich and Emily Chandler combined to pitch a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts and Chandler also slammed a two-run single, as Poland defeated Illinois, 2-0, Saturday in the girls 13-14 Little League Central Region Tournament at Firestone Park.

The win in pool-play competition advanced Poland against Kentucky today at 11 a.m. at Firestone Park.

Poland also will play Monday against Wisconsin at12:30 p.m. at the same site.

Serich pitched the first four innings and gave up the only hit for Illinois, a single to Lexi Destian, who also was the only player for her team to reach base. Serich had seven strikeouts.

Chandler pitched the last three innings and struck out five.

Poland got its two runs in the first inning on three straight singles by Meredith Testa, Marisa Trevis and Chandler, who drove in both base runners.

Trevis and Chandler each had two singles.

Palamino Tournament

Youngstown Class B champion R J Trucking defeated Pine Ridge, Pa., 4-2 on Saturday in an opening Palamino East Zone, West Region game.

Charles Zimoski pitched four innings of two-hit ball and Josh Fyffe got the win, going the final three innings.

Matt Pitzulo, Joey Wielbruda, and Ben Bechtol each had two hits apiece for R&J Trucking.

Fyffe also had two RBIs and a run scored.

Joe Iacobucci had a double for the winners.

R&J plays at 12:30 p.m. today against Greensboro, N.C., in North Allegheny.

The winner of the tournament advances to the World Series in San Jose, Calif.