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Canfield 9-10 team seeks repeat
By Greg gulas
The Canfield 9-10 year-old baseball team posted a 4-0 mark in Little League district play, outscoring opponents 29-12 while allowing just one run in three of those contests.
Canfield followed that up by going 5-0 last weekend in the Navarre Tournament, tuning up for state Little League competition by outscoring opponents 69-3. Canfield pitchers tossed two shutouts while allowing just one run in their other three outings.
Coach Phil “Duke” Starr realizes that with 11 districts vying for a state title from Saturday through Aug. 3 in Hamilton, what you did in the past remains in the past.
Canfield is hopeful that winning a second consecutive title is in his players’ future.
“We have some very talented kids on this team and the fact that they have been playing together for the past three years has a lot to do with the success that they have enjoyed,” Starr said.
“I would not hesitate to put them up against any other 10 year-old team in the state, and we will this weekend,” Starr said. “Last year, Canfield won the state title and this year we’re just looking to add to [its] legacy.”
Three players (Chase Lowry, Michael Pelini and Conor Hritz) will miss the double-elimination tournament.
Canfield has just 10 players on the active roster. All can pitch if called upon.
Staying focused will be paramount.
“We rely on everyone when it comes to pitching and that is without a doubt our strength,” Starr said. “We’re also strong defensively, can get on base and score some runs in bunches, but pitching is what has carried us thus far.
“It’s nice to be that deep on the mound.”
The pitchers Starr has relied on most during district play have been Brandon Mikos and Brent Herrmann.
SDLqI like pitching most when you have to bear down,” Herrman said. “It seems like every game there’s a new hero.”
Canfield’s outfield is comprised of Sam Starr in center field, Alex Iannizzaro, Dominic DeBonis and Alex Smyczynski.
The infield has Corey Rose behind the plate; Luke Holland at first base; Trey Dye at second; Dominic Magliocca at shortstop; and Herrmann at third base when not on the mound.
Magliocca is the team’s lead-off hitter. While every player has registered at least one double during district play, Holland has been anointed the team’s slugger after swatting seven round-trippers this summer. Two have come during postseason action.
“Our next goal is a state crown,” Holland said.
DeBonis said, “We like to play with the lead but also know we’re a team that can come back as well.”
Phil Starr, a family practitioner at St. Joseph’s Health Center, is coaching the all-star team for the very first time. He said Canfield prefers to bat first.
“We tend to like the visitors’ role because we can establish our presence right off the bat,” Starr said. “Jumping on our opponent and getting an early lead is a lot nicer than having to play catch-up.
“We feel like we can play without the lead, if necessary, but we’d rather our opponent struggle to come-from-behind.”
Canfield opens Saturday at 3 p.m. against Galion.