Poland blanks South Dakota

Staff report

CATHAGE, MO.

The Poland 11-12 Little League softball team is halfway to qualifying for a bye that would send the team to the Central Regional tournament’s semifinals.

The tournament winner will advance to the Little League World Series in Portland, Ore.

Sunday, Poland, representing Ohio, shut out South Dakota, 10-0, in a five-inning contest.

Ally Deemer pitched a no-hitter, allowing just three runners to reach (two by error and one on a walk). She struck out 13 batters and only one South Dakota runner made it to second base.

Jenna Schettler’s two hits drove in three runs. Arlia Duarte and Claire Testa each had two hits and two RBIs.

With half of their pool play games over, Poland (2-0) is the only unbeaten team in its bracket. Illinois (1-1) is second while Minnesota (0-2) and Indiana (0-2) are tied for third.

On Saturday, Poland defeated Indiana, 3-1. Tonight, Poland plays Minnesota (International Falls). Tuesday, Poland will conclude pool play against Illinois (Antioch).

The Central Regional has three brackets. The format has the top two teams from each bracket advancing to the quarterfinals. Of those, the two teams with the best records will receive byes to the semifinals.

Poland jumped on South Dakota for two runs in its first at-bat. After Abby Masluk walked, stole second base and took third on a passed ball, she scored on a throwing error.

Deemer scored the other run after she was hit by a pitch and came home on Schettler’s two-out single.

Poland added a run in the second inning when Dani Rutana singled, advanced on a passed ball, stole third and scored on Kat Wilson’s groundout.

Poland added two runs in the third inning. After Deemer reached on an error Aleah Hughes doubled. A throwing error allowed Deemer to score. Arlia Duarte doubled to bring home Hughes.

A four-run fourth inning had Poland cruising. Kristyn Svetlak walked then scored on Testa’s hit. After Hughes walked, Schettler hit a two-run single then scored on Duarte’s double.

Testa’s RBI single in the fifth inning scored Wilson and ended the game because of the mercy rule.

Baseball

DEFIANCE

The Poland 11-year-old Little League team opened state tournament play with a 12-4 loss to North Canton.

Trailing 1-0, North Canton scored four runs in the second inning. Three homers in the third inning helped North Canton score seven runs for an 11-2 lead.

Jacob Burns, Dylan Kurcon and Tony Chiaro were the Poland pitchers.

Poland stranded eight baserunners and had seven hits. Mike Mallis had two of them while Brandon Glosser, Nick Petrolla, Alex Wollet, Chiaro and Vince Garayua had the others.