Youngstown Knightline opens Colt East Zone tournament tonight

Knightline squad opens play tonight

in Greensboro, N.C.

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

For the third year in a row a Youngstown team has won the Colt Regional championship and will represent the local Class B league in East Zone Tournament play beginning today in Greensboro, N.C.

Tom Otto’s Youngstown Knightline franchise, which swept through the recent regional tournament with a 4-1 mark, defeated Seneca Valley this past Monday at Cene — the championship game was switched to the Struthers site due to inclement weather in Cranberry, Pa. — and will begin play tonight when they take on host Greensboro at 6 p.m.

It’s a five-team, double-elimination tourney that Otto feels his team can win, then advance to the Colt World Series next week in Lafayette, Ind.

“It’s definitely an exciting time for all of us, from players, to coaches, to parents and even the fans. I simply cannot tell you how proud I am of this team,” Otto said. “This is a group that has come together and bonded in a short period of time and the results have been truly amazing.”

Otto, along with coaches Tom Pitko, Jim Warga and Dave Ritter, will lose a few players due to prior commitments, noting that the goal still remains the same.

“It’s a five-team, double-elimination tournament so anything can happen,” Otto said. “The goal is to win and advance to the World Series next week and the way this group has played in the regional, we like our chances.”

In addition to Youngstown Knightline, the other four teams include host Greensboro Green, New England’s regional champion, Virginia Western Branch and Virginia Kentsville.

Youngstown’s lineup includes pitching mainstays Tom Pitko (Austintown Fitch), Mark DeGregory (Girard), Jackson Iceman (Mathews) and Carmen Cavalier (Ursuline).

Jared Bajerski (South Range) and John Ritter (Springfield) split time behind the plate, as well at first base with Curtis Houser (Badger) also penciled in for first base duty.

Aiden Warga (Girard) holds down second base with Cole Klasic, a three-year starter for the Fitch Falcons, at shortstop.

Both Bajerski and DeGregory are expected to share time at third.

Lorenzo Russo (Fitch) is the left fielder, Bobby Cavalier (Ursuline and Carmen’s brother) and Jake Bacon (Poland) are the center fielders while Joe Gallo (Niles) and Christian Myers (Fitch) are the right fielders.

“I am glad that a Youngstown team was able to win the Colt regional tournament and I hope that they do a nice job of representing our Class B league in Greensboro,” said Bob Richards, PONY region director for the past 16 years. “Youngstown teams have done really well in this tournament the past several years and this team should be just as competitive.”

Youngstown Knightline is the two-time defending league runner-up, finishing second to Astro Falcons this year and Creekside Fitness a season ago.