Title in sight: Poland All-Stars reach regional final four

Roth Brothers took a 3-1 series lead in the Class AA championship.

AKRON — The Poland All-Stars, after defeating Wisconsin, 5-2, in the Junior League (13-14) Central Regional softball tournament Monday at Akron Firestone Park, have reached the final four.

With a 3-0 record in pool play, Poland will take on the host team Elyria today at 2:30 p.m. in the single elimination competition. Should they win, the All Stars will play for the championship Wednesday at 2 p.m.

“We are playing great team softball right now and everyone is contributing and making things happen,” said Poland coach Jim Serich. “We are playing great defense and everyone is doing the little things right.”

Kasie Serich (3-0) scattered four hits over four innings with 10 strikeouts to pick up the win against Wisconsin. Emily Chandler worked the final three innings and gave up only two hits, with four strikeouts, for a save.

Poland scored a run in the second inning as Amber Isaacson tripled home Serich for a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin tied the score in the fourth inning on a hit batter and a pair of singles.

Poland added two runs in the bottom half of the inning as Isaacson’s single drove in Kelsey Malenic. Meredith Testa singled home Isaacson.

Poland added two more runs in the fifth as Courtney Capan singled and Isaacson tripled her home. Issacson then scored on a groundout.

Chandler hit a triple and single while Serich and Testa hit two singles apiece.

Youngstown AA

YOUNGSTOWN — Rick Banna’s single drove in Ray Jaminet with the only run of the game, as Roth Brothers edged Youngstown Metros, 1-0, in Game 4 of the Youngstown Class AA championship series at Pemberton-Donnell Park Sunday.

Roth leads the best-of-7 series three games to one.

John Hay pitched all 12 innings for Roth, allowing seven hits and striking out 19.

Rick Gozur had three hits, all singles, for Roth, while Rob Tamburro hit a double and a single.

Matt Yarah had three singles for for Metros, while Joe Iacobucci and Josh Gardner hit doubles.

Warren AA

WARREN — Jim Skiffey had two hits, including a double, and drove in a pair of runs to lead Flex Strut over Champion Marlins, 10-2, Sunday in the Warren AA League playoffs, tying their series 1-1.

Aaron Johnstone struck out five in a complete-game win.

Sean Lucas also doubled and singled for Flex Strut, while Steve Liebel had two singles and Pat Elias two RBIs.

Brandon Keck and Jake Gross hit doubles for the Marlins.

Mahoning Valley Knights 5, Elite Shockers 2

Ryan Monti hit a two-run homer and singled to lead the Knights,who tied the series 1-1. Brett Dutton struck out eight and Matt Carhart pitched the ninth for the save.

Mike Johnson and Craig Dobos had two singles apiece for Elite, and Cory Hinzman drove in two runs.