Poland girls come up just short in semifinal

AKRON — Although Poland Community Baseball’s all-star team out-hit Elyria in a game that totaled only six hits, the area representative in the Junior League (13-14) girls Central Region semifinal came home on the short end Tuesday.

Poland finished with a 3-1 record in the tournament after losing to Elyria, 1-0.

“We out-hit them, but didn’t put up as many runs,” Poland manager Jim Serich said.

After producing just one hit in six innings, Poland got three more hits, but had the tying run thrown out at home plate when Emily Chandler was cut down in a close play in the top of the seventh.

Elyria’s lone run came in the fourth, when Cynthia Woodward had a lead-off triple followed by Alysa Barker’s RBI bunt.

Chandler, Maura Bobby and Kasie Serich had singles, while Kelsey Malenic doubled for Poland.

Starter Kasie Serich struck out six and allowed just one hit over four innings before Chandler pitched two shutout innings.

Elyria will play Illinois in the championship game today, with the winner advancing to the World Series in Kirkland, Wash.