Poland softball stars win World Series trip

Staff report

CARTHAGE, MO.

Catcher Dani Rutana’s three hits and three RBIs helped the Poland 11-12 Little League Softball team defeat Indiana, 5-4, to become the first Mahoning Valley softball team to qualify for the Little League World Series.

It wasn’t easy. Carrying a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, Poland watched Indiana score four times and put the potential tying run at third base and the go-ahead run at second with two outs.

Pitcher Alea Hughes induced a pop-out that shortstop Kat Wilson caught to end Friday’s Central Region championship game and launch Poland’s preparations for Tuesday’s flight to Portland, Ore.

Asked what he felt when Wilson’s catch ended the game, Poland coach Chuck Masluk said, “Relief, disbelief, everything — all the emotions were right there.

“A lot of dreams came true with that out,” Masluk said. “They worked so hard for this — they deserve every bit of it.”

Rutana said she “started crying with excitement. Wow, we’re going to Oregon. It’s the best feeling ever.”

Hughes chimed in, “It got a little too scary.”

Masluk said Rutana has been his catcher the entire tournament.

“She’s gotten beaten up back there but she plays with pain,” Masluk said. ”She’s a heckuva ballplayer.”

Poland, which defeated Indiana 3-1 in the tournament opener, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

Hughes started the rally when she reached base on an error. After Arlia Duarte singled, Rutana’s two-run double gave Poland the lead. Maddie Rowe’s RBI single scored Rutana to increase the lead to 3-0.

Poland added a run in the fourth inning after Rutana singled, took second on a passed ball and stole third base. She came home on an error after Abby Masluk’s bunt was fielded.

In the fifth inning, Duarte singled and scored on Rutana’s third hit.

Then things became interesting. In Indiana’s final at-bat, Grace Lumpkin and Paige Pence singled and Morgan Masters was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Hailey Hill hit a groundball to Hughes who was unable to outrace Lumpkin to the plate.

After a forceout at home, Indiana’s Jenna Irelan singled to left to slice Poland’s lead to 5-2. After a strikeout, two wild pitches brought in two more runs and a walk and stolen base put the go-ahead run at second before Wilson caught the pop-out to end the game.

Chuck Masluk said he didn’t consider lifting Hughes.

“She got us here, she deserved that game,” Masluk said.

Hughes said she felt she had good control early on, but admitted became “a little nervous.”

Rutana said, “Aleah did a great job [getting out of trouble] in that last inning.”

Claire Testa and Ally Deemer had Poland’s other hits.

Poland’s other players are Jenna Schettler, Megan Marsico, Kristyn Svetlak and Cara Kalouris,

Baseball

The Canfield 10-year-old Little League baseball team defeated Dover, 16-6, on Thursday to advance to state title game.

Jack Rafoth’s three hits drove in two runs and he scored twice. Dom Velasquez had two hits, three runs scored and two RBIs. Anthony Pacifico contributed a two-run double, Nick Ieraci singled and scored and Will Dawson made a key catch to end a Dover rally.

Rafoth, Ian McGraw and Ryan Stefanec combined to pitch a seven-hitter.

Canfield (4-1) must defeat Shelby (5-0) twice to win the state crown.