Poland batters Rowan at World Series

August 2, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

Junior League team sits unbeaten at Series

By BRIAN DZENIS

Poland can’t ask for a better spot two games into the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash.

After Monday’s 13-4 rout of Rowan (N.C.), Poland is one of two teams out of 10 that is undefeated in the pool play stage. Eight teams advance to the bracket from 10. At 2-0, Poland is a virtual lock to advance into bracket play and a top seed is within reach.

“We figured we could hang with anybody and 2-0 is a great spot to be,” Poland coach Matt Bobbey said. “But all of these teams are good, so we take nothing for granted.”

Poland piled up 13 hits against Rowan. They got up two a 5-0 lead after the first inning and never trailed. Rowan got as close as 5-3 in the fourth inning, but a four-run fourth and a four-run sixth put the game away.

Lauren Sienkiewicz was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs and Jackie Grisdale was also 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Lexi Diaz and Caroline Aey each collected two RBIs and both Camryn Lattanzio and Carley Francis each knocked home a run.

“We hit from top to bottom and that’s what’s separating us from these other teams right now,” Bobbey said. “We’re out-scoring them and everybody has been contributing.”

On the mound, Brooke Bobbey gave up four runs on nine hits while striking out six and walking none. Bobby has pitched back-to-back games and as long as she’s feeling up for it, her father will trot her out.

“One game a day isn’t that bad, some of these girls might pitch two-three games in a couple days in travel ball,” Bobbey said. “She’s feeling good and her pitch counts are reasonable at this stage in the tournament.”

Poland faces tournament host Kirkland (1-1) today at 8 p.m. Bobbey wants to keep the momentum going.

“You’re feeling good, you’re hitting the ball, you’re throwing strikes and the next day you get to do it again,” Bobbey said. “I think momentum is important and right now we’ve got a little bit of momentum as the only undefeated team in our pool right now.”