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Poland’s Bobbey no-hits Missouri
Schweers powers offense with 2-run double and 3 runs
By Jason Haddix
INDIANAPOLIS
Poland’s 11-12 Little League softball team opened the Central Region tournament with a fabulous start as Brooke Bobbey tossed a four-inning no-hitter in Saturday’s 11-0 victory over Missouri.
It did not take long for those watching from the Stokely Field stands to see the Ohio state champions are again serious contenders for the Central title and a journey to Oregon for the Little League Softball World Series.
Five years ago, Poland won the Central Region.
Bobbey struck out six. After surrendering a game-opening walk, the southpaw sat down 12 consecutive Missouri hitters to close the contest.
“She consistently hit her spots in the strike zone,” Poland coach Matt Bobbey said.
“She again had a great defense behind her. Everybody was doing their jobs.”
Brooke Bobbey said she was not aware of her no-hitter until after the game when her father told her.
Regardless of her performance, she knew this win took more than just her efforts.
“I just went out and threw the ball the best I could,” she said.
“I knew my team would be right behind me to field and help. Softball is a team sport and is not just about one person.”
Perhaps the biggest help on defense came from Abby Farber who picked off a line drive for the second out of fourth inning that kept the no-hitter intact.
Poland got the scoring under way in the first inning after an Adeline Schweers lead-off walk.
Schweers took second and third base on back-to-back wild pitches and went home on an overthrow.
With its hurler clearly in control from in the circle, Poland only needed the opening-inning run, but its offense provided plenty of insurance in the second inning.
“In a big game and on a big stage like this it is always good to have a good solid first inning,” Matt Bobbey said.
“We rely on our defense and they did there job to take care of business and then putting a few runs on the board obviously give the girls the confidence to carry them through for the rest of the game.”
Poland chased Missouri starter Averi Eckhoff during the second inning after she allowed three runs to score without recording an out.
Schweers was not so kind to Eckhoff’s relief as she smacked a two-RBI double to left field.
In all Poland sent 12 batters to the dish in the second inning and scored seven runs for an 8-0 lead.
“I feel that when my team is all playing well, all the negativity goes away,” Schweers said of playing with confidence. “It makes me play better because I know if I mess up a little bit, my teammates are there to pick me up.”
Schweers scored three runs on a double and two walks while driving in two. Cammie Lattanzio also drove in two runs for Poland.
“All year long [Schweers] has been patient at the plate and leads the team in walks,” Bobbey said. “That is exactly what you want in a leadoff hitter. She gets on base quite a bit. She sets the table for our big hitters.”
The confidence gained in the first two innings continued into the third as Poland put up three runs to go up 11-0.
Bobbey and Jackie Grisdale each tallied two hits and one RBI to lead Poland’s 10-hit day.
“It was really fun,” Schweers said. “The cheering was fun and we cheered very loud which helped us a lot.”
Poland next faces Indiana today at 5 p.m. in the second of four pool-play games before the elimination play begins on Wednesday.