Sunday, July 25, 2010
Staff report
ELYRIA
The Boardman 11-12 Little League baseball team rallied for Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Avon in their state tournament opener.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Gino Beato sparked a Boardman rally with a lead-off single.
After advancing to second on a passed ball, Beato advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored to tie the game on Mario Graziani’s single.
Pinch-runner Alex Duda scored the game-winning run when Danny Boerio hit a fielder’s choice.
Another key hit by Beato helped Boardman jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. After Devon Curd walked and Gavin Dill reached on a fielder’s choice, Beato doubled to score Curd.
Dill came home on a fielder’s choice by Lou Cardona.
Trent Humphreys tossed 65 pitches in four innings, striking out three batters.
Boerio tossed two innings to pick up the win. With runners on first and second, he struck out Avon’s last batter to end the game.
Monday at 5 p.m., Boardman will play today’s winner in the game between North Canton and Hardscrabble.