Poland blanks Mich., plays for Oregon trip

STAFF REPORT

CARTHAGE, MO.

Ally Deemer’s two-hit shutout of Michigan has the Poland 11-12 Little League team one victory from qualifying for next week’s Little League World Series in Portland, Ore.

In Thursday’s storm-delayed semifinal contest, Poland (5-0) blanked Michigan, 2-0, to advance to today’s championship game against Indiana. The game is a rematch of last Saturday’s tournament opener when Poland won, 3-1.

In the other semifinal, Indiana ousted Wisconsin, 12-5.

Deemer struck out nine batters and walked one. Two of those whiffs came in the bottom of the sixth.

“She’s just a very smart pitcher,” Poland coach Chuck Masluk said. “She had great location with her pitches.”

Deemer retired the first nine batters, then had to work out of jams in the fourth and fifth innings.

Michigan had runners at first and second when a ground out ended the threat in the fourth frame. An inning later, Michigan failed to score after a one-out double.

Poland took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Abby Masluk reached first on a bunt single. After stealing second base, Masluk advanced to third on Claire Testa’s ground out. With two outs, Masluk scored on a wild pitch.

Chuck Masluk said the cushion was big because it gave Poland “a little more leeway to be a little more aggressive on the basepaths.”

Poland scored an insurance run in the sixth inning after Testa singled. Deemer’s sacrifice bunt went to the Michigan pitcher and a throwing error allowed Testa to score.

Poland had a good opportunity in the second inning but a strong defensive play kept the game scoreless. Jenna Schettler opened the inning with a single and stole second base.

Schettler tried to score on Arlia Duarte’s hit to right field but was thrown out at the plate. Duarte was stranded at third base.

Despite the long delay, Chuck Masluk said the team was confident the game would be played.

“All the coaches were out helping to rake the field,” Masluk said. “We were pretty sure all day long that we’d play eventually.”

9-10 softball

WHEELERSBURG

In the 9-10 Little League softball state tournament, Poland lost to Wheelersburg, 14-6.

For Poland, Jillian Pennman and Gina Ungaro tripled.