Metros win opener at national tourney

STAFF REPORT

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Mike Hoelzel had three hits, including a double, and Cory Johnson drove in five runs to lead Youngstown Metros over Schenectady, N.Y., 11-7, at the All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) national tournament.

Both Hoelzel and Johnson had doubles as part of Metros’ 13-hit attack. Armani Johnson added a double and single, while Jae Leeworthy hit one double. Matt Pitzulo and Matt Durkin added two singles each.

Brad Bates pitched 11‚Ñ3 innings in relief to pick up the win. Dom Silvestri went the first six innings and Joe Hoelzel pitched 12‚Ñ3 innings.

Metros, which will play either Johnstown, Pa., or Zanesville next, scored four runs in the top of the ninth to go ahead.

BB Rooners win tourney

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — BB Rooners, an independent 18U baseball team based in Warren, won the recent Big South Classic, going unbeaten in six games.

Rooners (41-15) defeated Tennessee Grizzlies 10-0, as J.W. Gora threw a two-hitter; Seymour Eagles, 8-3; Northern Virginia Gators 4-3, as Mike Floravit hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and Matt Schultz threw a complete game with nine strikeouts; Knoxville Stars, 10-2, as Scott Robinson hit two home runs; Cincinnati Lancers 23-1, and Seymour Eagles 9-3.

Robinson was named MVP with four home runs, and Nick Turley also hit a homer. Jimmy Harrison went 12- for 15 for the tournament.

Poland softball

ELYRIA — The Poland Junior (13-14s) softball team won two games at the regional tournament.

Poland defeated a team from Illinois, 5-0, as Jess Rutana pitched a five-hit shutout with three strikeouts. She also had two hits and one RBI, while Phoebe Bush had one hit and three RBIs. Kalie Benson added a double, while Meredith Testa had one hit and one RBI.

Poland then defeated Kentucky, 8-2. Kasie Serich and Emily Chandler combined on the pitching for 13 strikeouts, allowing two hits and on earned runs. Testa had two hits, including a double. Emily Chandler, Benson and Marissa Trevis all had two hits, while Meredith Tesone and Leah Howard both hit a double and had two RBIs.