State champions: Canfield 11-12 team wins Ohio Little League state title

July 27, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Next up: Indianapolis for regional tourney

CAMBRIDGE

It wasn’t the way Canfield’s 11-12 baseball team wanted it to happen, but the end result was just as satisfying.

Needing only one victory over Hamilton to win the Little League state championship, Canfield did it the hard way on Saturday by dropping the opener, 9-2, and holding on to win the deciding game, 3-2.

“We’ve been preaching focus to these kids throughout our run and today that was tested,” said Canfield manager George Beck.

“I guess our four years of preaching finally got in their heads.”

The win puts Canfield one step closer to its ultimate goal: Williamsport, Pa.

The decisive game was anything but for Canfield.

It was scoreless until the fourth inning, when Richie Hofus doubled in Brayden Beck.

Then Evan Skirpac singled home McCoy Wakins for a 2-0 lead.

Seth Velker, who went 2 for 3 for Canfield, scored an insurance run in the fifth after a leadoff triple.

Needing just three more outs, pitcher Brandon Mikos made his only mistake of the game and gave up a two-run homer to Hamilton.

After a home-run saving catch by outfielder Jimmy Maass, and a two-out double, Mikos got the final batter to strike out swinging.

“When push comes to shove, they find a way to get it done,” said Beck.

Canfield advances to the regional round in Indianapolis, Ind., next week, with the winner earning a spot in the Little League World Series.