Poland girls enjoying stage

Staff report

PORTLAND, Ore.

The Poland Community Little Leagues softball team enjoyed its bye Saturday at the Little League Softball World Series by getting off the dirt and onto the sand.

The girls spent their day off by heading to the coast and enjoying the Oregon beach, coach Chuck Masluk said.

“They had a good time, but I didn’t go,” Masluk said with a laugh. “I chose to catch up on a little rest instead.”

Poland defeated Southwest 5-4 in the teams’ opener Thursday and sits atop pool A as the lone undefeated team.

Masluk said he isn’t shocked, but kind of surprised with how the team is playing. He said the big stage often brings big emotion. But said the girls have been able to keep those feelings in check.

“It’s probably the greatest thing the girls can ever hope for or wish for. It’s run so well here and it’s been really incredible,” Masluk said. “But this whole thing is like softball on steroids. They’re at a bigger stadium, and venue, than these girls are used to.

“It’s eye-opening the way the field, stands and park are taken care of,” he added. “The girls might feel just a little bit more pressure, butterflies or nerves than they’re used to. But they’re handling it well.”

The girls were treated to a picnic dinner following their win Friday. And so far, the girls have treated the tournament like a piece of cake.

Masluk said regardless of the final outcome his team is already a winner.

“Getting here was absolutely the prize, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “Win or lose, it doesn’t matter, really. Obviously we want to win the thing, but just getting here is big enough in itself.”

Southest 3, West 0

Poland got a little help from Southwest representative Washington County Little League of Brenham, Tex., who defeated West representative Burbank, Calif. 3-0 on Saturday at Alpenrose Dairy.

Poland defeated Southwest 5-4 in the teams’ opener Thursday.

Poland (2-0) and Burbank (2-1) will face each other with semifinal seeding on the line Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Southwest (1-1) will play Canada (0-2) at noon.

Latin America 2, Canada 0

Latin America broke into the win column behind timely hitting and the pitching of Nashally Rivera.

Rivera allowed just one hit to Canada representative Layritz Little League of Victoria, B.C. while striking out seven and surrendering three walks.

Oregon District Four 11, EMEA 1

Oregon District 4 representative Tigard played inspired offense from the first hitter forward as they bounced back from Thursday’s hitless performance.

In Oregon’s first win of the 2010 Little League Softball World Series they tallied 12 hits and seven stolen bases while earning five walks.

Southeast 4, East 0

Southeast representative Warner Robins, Ga. remained undefeated, toppling East representative Robinsville, N.J. to inch one victory closer to a successful defense of their 2009 championship.