Ruth teams open as winners

Both Youngstown all-star teams play again today at 5:30 in their respective tournaments.

Youngstown’s two Babe Ruth All-Star teams playing in World Series got off to strong starts Saturday.

In Jamestown, N.Y., Youngstown’s 13-year old team came from behind to post a 2-1 victory over the New England Regional champ Greenwich (Connecticut) in a World Series first-round pool game.

And in Quincy, Mass., the Youngstown 14-year-old team also rallied, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and adding an insurance run in the sixth to post a 4-3 victory over Norwalk (Connecticut).

At Jamestown, 10 teams are playing in two divisions and it was the first of four contests for both teams. The top three teams in each division will advance to single-elimination competition, with the first-place teams receiving byes.

“I was really happy because we had opening ceremonies with a parade and a lot of distractions and the kids came through and performed well,” Youngstown manager Anthony Raschilla said.

Greenwich took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Sam Fraser scored on an error.

Youngstown scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After Christopher Maze walked, Brandon Cope singled. Robert Fargo walked to load the bases. Dan Ferguson singled home Maze and Cope.

Maze worked four innings and allowed four hits to pick up the win. Ryan Brumbaugh worked three innings, giving up only two hits for a save.

Cope also hit a triple while Danny Marker and Vic Kuchmaner each doubled.

“The kids were happy, they overcame a couple of mistakes and they said it felt good to win the first one,” Raschilla said.

Today at 5:30 p.m., Youngstown takes on the Western New York Regional champion Syracuse team.

In Massachusetts, the Youngstown 14-year-old team trailed 2-1 then rallied.

Terry Landis, Youngstown’s manager said, “First of all, it’s a relief getting that first game under our belt. Once we relaxed and the kids made adjustments, we started to play ball.

“Later in the game, we made a few mistakes here and there, but the kids made up for that and played good defense and won.”

Youngstown took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning, then got an insurance run in the sixth inning as Dan Popio doubled and Rick Jones, who had two RBIs, singled him home.

Justin Fleo worked four innings and allowed only three hits to pick up the win.

Tony Mehle came on in the fifth inning with two runners on base and only one away. He got the first batter he faced to hit into a double play to end the inning. He worked two innings, gave up two hits and struck out two.

Youngstown plays the Boston Regional champion Cambridge (Massachusetts) today at 5:30 p.m.