CLASS B: YOUNGSTOWN STARS TAKE EAST ZONE CHAMPIONSHIP, HEAD TO LONE STAR STATE TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

STRUTHERS, OH-  Youngstown’s Astro Falcons punched their ticket to the Palomino World Series in Laredo, TX by defeating Creekside Fitness 12-2 in the East Zone Championship here at Bob Cene Park on Saturday.  Andrew Russell pitched a complete game five-hitter allowing just two runs while striking out four over five innings as the game ended in accordance with the mercy rule. 

After Vince Armeni put the Astro Falcons ahead 1-0 with a two-out rbi single in the second, Creekside quickly answered.  BJ Arnold’s bunt single was followed by consecutive rbi hits by Zack Hansen and Kyle Wetzel to put Creekside ahead 2-1, but Russell survived the inning and cruised the rest of the way after the Falcons had an answer of their own.  A seven-run outburst in the bottom of the third paved the way for the Astros. They tacked on four more in the fourth to complete the route. Vince Armeni had two hits while Justin Miknis added two, one of which was a triple. Chase Franken also tripled while Burke Camper doubled.  

Coach Don Pletcher’s crew now heads deep into Texas for the World Series, a truly international event.  The double-elimination tournament features teams from Chinese-Tapei, Germany, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Youngstown action will be live-streamed by Your Sports Network (YSN).  

Check YSNlive.com for details.

 

 

*Contributed by YSN’s Mark Franken