AUSTINTOWN’S RUN MEETS AN END

GREENVILLE NC- Austintown’s Little League squad put up a fight but fell 3-1 to Southeast in a do-or-die game on Saturday. Even with six hits to Southeast’s five, it wasn’t enough to clinch the win. Marissa Polder was on fire, notching two hits for Austintown.

Both teams had their aces dealing. Southeast pitchers racked up six K’s, matching Austintown’s strikeout count.

Bristol Smith got Southeast rolling with a single in the first, putting them on the board. They padded their lead in the second after an Austintown error and a clutch single from Megan Linebarger, each driving in a run.

Mila Hamley took the hill for Austintown, throwing five innings, giving up five hits and three runs (one earned), striking out six and walking two. Bristol Smith started for Southeast, giving up six hits and one run over six innings, with six strikeouts and one walk.

Gracie Faunda went 1-for-2 with an RBI. Hamley also helped her cause at the plate, going 1-for-2 and scoring a run. Gianna Hoops and Lily Sheffield each chipped in with a hit.

For Southeast, LeNiyah Ratcliffe, Bristol Smith, Makynzie Melchor, Megan Linebarger, and Tenley Shell all got a hit. Smith and Linebarger each drove in a run. Southeast played flawless defense, turning a double play and not committing a single error, with Tenley Shell leading the way with seven chances.

Austintown’s exciting run in the Little League World Series has come to an end.

AUSTINTOWN LITTLE LEAGUE CHECKS IN FROM GREENVILLE

GREENVILLE NC- Austintown’s 12U Little League squad is off to a fast start in the Little League World Series in Greenville, North Carolina. They’ve won their first 2 games of the tournament and they’ve done so in dominating fashion, especially in the circle.

Austintown ace Mila Hamley has pitched all 12 innings so far for Austintown and has given up a total of 1 hit. She has struck out a combined 27 batters in the two games played, and hasn’t allowed a run to cross the plate yet.  On the offensive side for Austintown the bats have been aggressive and timely.  They’ve totaled 15 hits in 2 games and scored a combined 8 runs.  The depth of the lineup has showed up in a big way.  10 out of the 12 hitters in the lineup have at least one hit so far in the tournament, and 6 different hitters have knocked in runs.  Bella Mattern has shown off, she went 2-2 against Mexico, and then added a RBI against Southeast.  Annabel Mikesell has a hit, a run scored, and a RBI so far.  In their last victory over Southeast Lexi Petrilla went 2-2 with a RBI showing how dynamic she can be.  The lineup will be hard to stop if it keeps being consistent 1-12.

Austintown head coach Matt Hamley, and players Mila Hamley, Annabel Mikesell, and Kyndra Lake took time on Wednesday to check in with us from Greenville live on Running Point. They talk about their experience so far, how they are staying focused with the time off, and much more.

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AUSTINTOWN DOMINATES IN GAME ONE IN GREENVILLE

GREENVILLE NC- Mila Hamley was lights out in the circle, striking out 14 in Austintown’s 6-0 win over Latin America on Sunday in their first game of the Little League World Series. Hamley threw six no-hit innings, allowing zero runs and just one walk.

Austintown broke the game open with four runs in the second inning. Ava Fisher and Peyton Severn each singled in a run, another run scored on an error, and Annabel Mikesell added a sacrifice fly.

Marissa Polder got Austintown on the board in the first inning with an RBI double.

For Latin America, Fanny Ondarza pitched four and two-thirds innings, giving up seven hits and six runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking one.

Bella Mattern led Austintown with two hits in two at-bats. Severn, Fisher, Mikesell, Lily Sheffield, and Polder each drove in a run.

Austintown faces North Carolina on Monday night at 7:00. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.

AUSTINTOWN WILL MAKE A RETURN TRIP TO THE WORLD SERIES

WHITESTOWN IN- In a thrilling Central Regional Championship on Thursday, Austintown edged out Missouri 3-2 in 9 innings, thanks to a dominant performance by Mila Hamley. Hamley struck out 19 batters, giving up just two hits and one run over nine innings while walking three.

The game was a pitching duel from the start. Austintown pitchers tallied 19 strikeouts, while Missouri’s pitchers racked up seven.

Austintown struck first in the opening inning when Bella Mattern grounded out to bring in a run. Missouri tied it up in the third with Braelyn Smith’s RBI double.

In the top of the eighth, Austintown regained the lead with Annabel Mikesell’s RBI single, making it 2-1. However, an error by Austintown in the bottom of the eighth allowed Missouri to tie it up again.

Mattern’s sacrifice bunt in the top of the ninth gave Austintown the decisive 3-2 lead.

Missouri’s Brenna Young pitched a solid game, allowing two hits and one run over nine innings, striking out seven without issuing any walks.

Hamley and Mikesell each had a hit for Austintown, with Mikesell and Mattern driving in the crucial runs. For Missouri, Braelyn Smith and Harper Regan each had a hit and an RBI. Missouri played flawless defense, with Kariann Ashlock recording 12 chances in the field.

With this win, Austintown heads to their second straight Little League World Series, starting August 4th in Greenville, North Carolina. Catch all the action on the ESPN family of networks.

AUSTINTOWN LOCKS IN A SPOT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

WHITESTOWN IN- Pitching lived up to the hype in the regional semifinal, but Austintown came out on top, beating Indiana 3-1 to advance to the championship. Mila Hamley was dominant, recording all 18 outs for Austintown.

Indiana struck first in the opening inning with Naomi Wathen’s RBI single. Austintown quickly tied it up in the second when Lily Sheffield’s single brought in a run.

Austintown took the lead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on an Indiana error and a clutch single from Gracie Faunda, each bringing in a run.

Hamley was sharp, allowing five hits and one run over six innings, striking out nine and walking one. Indiana’s Briley Mercer pitched well, giving up seven hits and three runs (one earned) over six innings, with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Faunda led Austintown with an RBI, going 1-for-2. Marissa Polder, Faunda, Hamley, Sheffield, Gianna Hoops, Emily Belan, and Lexi Petrilla each had one hit.

Wathen was Indiana’s standout, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Austintown moves on to the Central Regional Championship on Friday at 1:45, a one-game, winner-take-all showdown, live on ESPN.

AUSTINTOWN FINDS THEMSELVES IN THE SEMIFINALS

WHITESTOWN OH- Austintown stayed alive in the regional tournament with a gritty 2-1 win over Illinois on Thursday. Annabel Mikesell was a force in the circle, recording all 18 outs.

Austintown struck first in the opening inning thanks to an error that brought in a run. Illinois answered in the top of the third when Gia Sikorski grounded out to tie the game at one.

Austintown regained the lead in the bottom of the third with a clutch single from Mila Hamley, driving in a run to make it 2-1.

Mikesell was stellar, allowing five hits and one run over six innings, with nine strikeouts and no walks. Charlotte Goeckel pitched for Illinois, giving up six hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings, with no strikeouts or walks.

Hamley led the team at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI. Mikesell also contributed with two hits in two at-bats. Marissa Polder and Lily Sheffield were aggressive on the base paths, each stealing multiple bases. Austintown racked up seven stolen bases in total.

Sawyer Hilding led Illinois with two hits in two at-bats, while Gia Sikorski had an RBI. Payton Kunitz added two stolen bases for Illinois.

Austintown advances to the semifinals against Indiana on Thursday at 1:45, with the game broadcasted on ESPN.

AUSTINTOWN NOT DONE YET

WHITESTOWN IN- Austintown cruised past Nebraska on Wednesday, securing a 12-0 win in a regional tournament elimination game.

In the top of the fourth, Austintown exploded for six runs on four hits. Gracie Faunda’s single brought in two runs, followed by Gianna Hoops with another two-RBI single. Ellie Marquis added a run on a fielder’s choice, and Ava Fisher grounded out to drive in another.

The fifth inning saw Austintown tack on five more runs with five hits. Mila Hamley, Bella Mattern, Lexi Petrilla, and Hoops each had RBI singles, with another run scored on a steal of home.

Hamley was dominant in the circle, throwing three hitless innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Jaden Rusche started for Nebraska, giving up three hits and one unearned run over three innings, with one strikeout and two walks. Annabel Mikesell pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Austintown, allowing no hits and striking out four.

Austintown racked up 12 hits in the game. Hoops led the charge with three RBIs, going 2-for-2. Hamley, Mattern, Hoops, and Petrilla each had two hits. Hamley, Hoops, and Petrilla also stole multiple bases, with Austintown swiping seven bases in total. They played flawless defense with no errors, and Marissa Polder made 11 plays.

 

INDIANA HANDS AUSTINTOWN THEIR FIRST LOSS OF THE SUMMER

WHITESTOWN IN- Indiana came out swinging on Tuesday, scoring four runs in the second inning to defeat Austintown 7-1 in regional tournament action.

Cadence Jansen got Indiana on the board in the first inning with a groundout that brought in a run. Austintown quickly tied it up in the top of the second thanks to a passed ball.

But Indiana broke the tie in the bottom of the second. Finley Poling smacked a triple, clearing the bases and scoring three runs. Another passed ball extended the lead to 5-1.

Indiana added another run in the third when Caroline Bennington singled.

Mila Hamley started for Austintown, giving up six hits and six runs (one earned) over three innings, with four strikeouts and no walks. Briley Mercer was strong in the circle for Indiana, giving up four hits and one unearned run over six innings, striking out eight and walking two.

Lexi Petrilla led Austintown at the plate, going 2-for-2 and stealing two bases.

Indiana totaled eight hits. Finley Poling made the most of her chances, driving in three runs from the nine spot, going 1-for-2. Stella Bibelhauser, Caroline Bennington, and Briley Mercer each collected two hits for Indiana. Bibelhauser also swiped two bases. Indiana played clean defense with no errors, turning one double play, and Naomi Wathen had the most fielding chances with 10.

Austintown faces an elimination game against Nebraska on Wednesday at 1:00 on ESPN+.

AUSTINTOWN SETS THE TONE IN REGIONALS

WHITESTOWN IN- Austintown 12U came out strong on Sunday, blanking Wisconsin 3-0 in their first game of the Central Region tournament. Mila Hamley was a beast in the circle, recording 18 outs and striking out 17 batters. She tossed a no-hitter, allowing no hits and no runs over six innings, with just one walk.

Austintown broke the ice in the second inning when Ava Fisher’s single brought in a run. They kept the pressure on in the third with Marissa Polder and Gracie Faunda each driving in a run, Polder with a single and Faunda with a walk.

Wisconsin’s starter Addyson Rosetti pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and three runs, with four strikeouts and five walks.

Austintown’s bats were hot, racking up eight hits. Annabel Mikesell was on fire, going 3-for-3 at the plate and swiping two bases. Polder had an RBI, going 1-for-3, and Fisher added two hits in two at-bats. Austintown’s patience paid off with five walks, sealing their win in style.

AUSTINTOWN HEADING BACK TO REGIONALS

AUSTINTOWN OH- Just one summer ago, the Austintown 12U softball team captivated everyone in the community with a run all the way to the Little League World Series.  Although the team eventually fell short of their ultimate goal to win the World Series, they got a taste of what success was like, and they wanted more.  This season, Austintown returns a core of talent from that team, and now they’re on the doorstep of going right back to the World Series.

Over the span of two weekends we saw Austintown dominate their way to a district, and state championship.  They have given up one total run in 7 games during their run.  That is thanks in part to their one two punch in the circle Mila Hamley, and Annabel Mikesell. But Austintown’s offense is no slouch either. In those 7 games they’ve scored a total of 63 runs.  It’s been a deep lineup with plenty of players stepping up in different spots.

We had a chance to have a conversation with Austintown head coach, and members of the 12U team ahead of their trip to regionals.  In this exclusive interview you’ll hear from coach Hamley, Mila Hamley, Annabel Mikesell, and Marissa Polder.

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