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Poland wins state crown in softball
STAFF REPORT
PORTSMOUTH
Aleah Hughes tossed a one-hitter and Arlia Duarte hit a bases-loaded double to power the Poland 11-12 Little League softball team to the Ohio crown.
Dani Rutana contributed two RBI doubles as Poland defeated Elyria, 6-1, in Thursday’s state title contest.
By finishing 4-0 at state, Poland advances to the Little League regional tournament that will be played July 30-Aug. 8 in Carthage, Mo. Thirteen teams will compete, with one advancing to the Little League World Series in Portland, Ore.
Hughes carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Elyria’s Carly Cachma’s one-out double was the only hit off Hughes, who walked three and struck out nine.
“In critical situations, she came through and that’s fantastic,” Poland manager Chuck Masluk said.
Elyria grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Dawn Daly walked, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and passed ball, and scored on a ground out.
Elyria had runners at second and third with nobody out in the second inning when Hughes struck out the next three batters.
“When you have a pitcher who can strike out three like that, you can’t ask for anything more,” Masluk said.
Poland seized control by scoring five runs in the third inning. After Abby Masluk singled and stole second base, Claire Testa reached on error and Ally Deemer walked to load the bases.
With two outs, Jenna Schettler singled over the second baseman’s head on an 0-2 pitch to tie the game. Duarte then sent the ball to the center field fence to clear the bases for a 4-1 lead. Rutana doubled to score Duarte.
Rutana also doubled in the sixth inning to score Duarte with an insurance run.
“It’s not just one batter — all the girls have come through with clutch hits,” Chuck Masluk said. “It’s been a team effort.”
Other Poland players are Kat Wilson, Maddie Rowe, Cara Kalouris, Megan Marsico and Kristyn Svetlak.
Poland’s other wins were over Clyde (4-1), Conneaut (3-2 in eight innings) and Elyria (5-4 in eight innings). The tournament began in Lucasville, but heavy rains forced the event to be moved to Portsmouth.