Long Grove wins CABA tournament

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — Long Grove A’s from Illinois defeated the Ohio Vipers, 6-5, on Sunday to win the CABA 18-under Aluminum Bat Tournament at Cene Park.

Ryan Burke’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning scored the winning run.

Although outhit 10-6, the A’s took advantage of six errors to score four unearned runs, including the game winner. Matt Keller had three hits for the Vipers.

The tournament had 19 teams in the second year, an increase of five teams. They came from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, California and Canada.

In the semifinals, the Vipers defeated Cincinnati Thunder 8-5 while the Long Grove A’s edged San Diego, 6-5.

Astro Falcons were the last local team playing. Astro Falcons, were ousted in the quarterfinals by Cincinnati Thunder, 7-6. John Desotelle’s one-out double in the bottom of the seventh inning drove in the winning run.

With the Astros ahead 6-5 in the sixth inning, the game was suspended by Saturday’s rain.

Ryan Grau had three hits and drove home three runs while Bryan Beaver had two hits for the winners.

Losing pitcher Trent Vallinger, Mike Natale and Shane Wagner had two hits for the Astro Falcons.

Babe Ruth Tournament

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The Youngstown 13-year-old Babe Ruth All Star team remains alive in the regional tournament after defeating the Southern Illinois state champions from Mattoon, 13-3.

Youngstown was led by the strong pitching performance of Zach Kuchmaner who got the win with five shutout innings of two-hit baseball.

Drew Beck led the offense with three hits including two doubles. He drove in three runs. Edmond Pilolli hit two triples to drive in two runs.

Tyler Spain’s two hits included a triple as he drove in two runs and stole three bases.

Kuchmaner and Denver Martin each had two hits, with Martin driving in two runs.

Today at 1 p.m., Youngstown (3-1), the Ohio champions, play against the West Virginia champions.

Saturday, Youngstown split a pair of games, losing to Northern Indiana, 6-4. Youngstown committed five errors that led to four unearned runs.

Harrison Wagner led the offense with two hits. Pilolli had two RBIs while Spain and Martin doubled.

Youngstown rebounded to defeat the Michigan champions (Clinton Valley), 14-0. Spain, Martin and Nick Maillis had two hits.

Mailllis got the pitching win after three hitless innings. He doubled and drove in four runs.

PONY

NILES — The Niles Pony All Stars finished runner-up in the PONY Sectional, losing to East Liverpool in the championship game, 4-3, in nine innings.

Will Maus’ two hits included a homer. Tyler Wiery had two hits while Jacob Foster struck out 14 batters in seven innings, allowing two hits.

Niles’ victories were against Canfield Yosay (8-4) and Canfield Glaciers (16-15). Niles trailed the Glaciers 15-8 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning before scoring seven runs to force extra innings.

Mike White, Maus and Foster all had three hits while Zarek Bell hit a three-run homer.

Softball

CONNEAUT — The Howland 9-10-year-old softball team was defeated by Tallmadge, 11-0, in the state Little League tournament.

Leah Pollifrone had Howland’s lone hit.

Tuesday, Howland plays a consolation bracket game.