Winner-take-all for the Little League district title

July 16, 2011 at 12:08a.m.

BOARDMAN

The Poland all-stars don’t seem to mind their underdog status.

If the truth be told, manager Dan Klase actually feels like his team prefers that role.

William Aey belted two home runs and added five RBIs while Daniel Klase tossed a three-hitter, adding a home run of his own, as Poland downed Canfield, 14-2 on Friday at the Fields of Dreams.

Poland (7-1) will now meet Canfield (3-1) today at noon for the Little League 11-12-age group championship in District 2 and the right to advance to the state tournament, which begins July 23 at Englewood’s Centennial Park.

“This team has fought hard all tournament and we’ve taken advantage of the fact that we have played more games than anyone else,” said Klase.

“The more games we’ve played the better we’ve become. William [Aey] hit the ball hard and when he is on, like he was today, he can carry us a long way.

“I’m very proud of Daniel in that he had excellent control of his fastball, was always around the plate and his bat was an added plus.

“This was an overall team effort. It’s never been about one or two players, always about the team,” Klase said.

Poland’s only loss in the tourney came at the hands of Canfield, 2-1 back on July 7.

Poland took the lead in their half of the first inning on a run-scoring double by Padraig O’Shaughnessy, who later came around on a wild pitch for the early two-run advantage.

They increased their lead to 4-0 in the third frame on the first of Aey’s two home runs; a two-run shot to dead center field that plated Alex Wollet.

“I just saw the ball really well tonight and the fact that we have had to keep playing in order to stay alive has really helped us as a team.

“The deeper we’ve gone into the tournament the more our hitting, defense and pitching has come together,” Aey said.

“With Daniel on the mound, it’s easier for us in the field because we know he throws strikes, doesn’t allow many runners on base and realize that there will be quite a few easy outs,” he added.

A two-run homer by Mark Wittmann in the third inning pulled Canfield to within 4-2, but that was the closest they would get the rest of the way.

Wittman ended up with all three Canfield safeties with a triple leaving him just short of hitting for the cycle.

Poland then sent nine players to the plate in the fourth frame with Aey’s three-run shot and Wollet’s two-run single keying a six-run uprising and a 10-2 advantage.

Klase’s home run and run-scoring double by O’Shaughnessy then highlighted a four-run fifth stanza for Poland and the final offense of the night for either team.

“My fastball was working but throwing strikes and a solid defense was the key to our win tonight. It’s a great feeling to avenge our only loss of the tournament, but tomorrow’s game should be just as exciting,” said Daniel Klase.

“If we play like we did today, then we should be alright,” Klase added.

Canfield, which suffered its initial tourney loss, could manage just one hit in three of the five innings played.

“Our first game with Poland was close and they’ve either have the advantage or disadvantage of playing four more games than us,” said Canfield manager Scott West.

“Tomorrow, we have new life and with the district title on the line we will be ready to go,” he added.