Tag Archive for: Little League Softball

KENZIE FOWLER PREVIEWS AUSTINTOWN’S REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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WHITESTOWN IN- There’s a ton of excitement in Austintown right now as their 12u softball team plays for the Regional Championship and a trip to the Little League World Series.  The media coverage of softball on the national stage has continued to grow more and more over the years.  ESPN has poured into the sport, and this season every singe game from every single region has been streamed on ESPN+. The Little League World Series will air on the ESPN family of networks, and for the first time the World Series championship will air on network television on ABC.  ESPN has sent out some of their best analyst voices across the country to cover the regional championships. The Central Region where Austintown finds themselves got assigned to Kenzie Fowler.

Kenzie Fowler is a 2 time All American pitcher that comes out of the University of Arizona.  Her freshman season at Arizona she led her team to the WCWS in Oklahoma City.  After her career at Arizona was complete she jumped right in to the media field. She started an internship at the PAC 12 Network, and slowly but surely moved her way up to one of the premiere voices of ESPN’s softball coverage.

Kenzie was kind enough to come talk to YSN’s Anthony Hartwig after she was on the call for Austintown’s win over Indiana to clinch a spot in the Regional Final.  They preview the upcoming championship, talk about the things that make Austintown special to watch, Kenzie’s softball journey, and much more. Check out this exclusive interview with ESPN Analyst Kenzie Fowler only on YSN!

Austintown’s Regional Championship is on Friday at 3:00 on ESPN+.

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BOARDMAN RUNS OUT OF STEAM

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WHITESTOWN OH- Boardman’s amazing run in the Little League Regionals unfortunately came to an end on Friday morning with a 13-0 loss to Indians. Indians took control of the game from the jump and never looked back. A 11 run first inning was just too much to come back from.   Addie Fiddler got the only hit of the day for a Boardman offense that struggled.

Boardman becomes the second straight area team to finish in the regionals top 3 teams. Canfield made it that far last season. It was the first Boardman Little League team however to win a state championship since 1976.  For the second straight season, Boardman’s opponent Indians and Missouri are playing for the regional championship.

AUSTINTOWN LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH MATT HAMLEY

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AUSTINTOWN OH- STATE CHAMPIONS!! The Austintown 10U softball team has reached the summit of the state softball world. With their sixth victory over Poland of the summer, this time around by a score of 14-2, Austintown claimed the state crown.

Head coach Matt Hamley could not be in attendance during the team’s run through the bracket.  He put a plan in place to make sure his team would be ready to succeed without him physically there. He was still a big part of the game plans.  He couldn’t be prouder of his team, and now he knows it’s time to look to the future. Next season seven of the players on the roster will make the step up to 12U.  He took the time to come on YSN’s Running Point to talk about the state championship, highlight some of the key members of his roster, and much more. Hear from a state champion exclusively on YSN.

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BOARDMAN STUMBLES, BUT STILL HAS LIFE

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WHITESTOWN IN- Boardman suffered their first loss of the regional round on Wednesday. They fell behind to Missouri early, and couldn’t amount a strong enough comeback in a 5-2 loss.

Emily Swantek had multiple hits for the Boardman lineup going 2-3 with a RBI.  Addie Rudge also gathered a RBI while going 1-3.  Lilly Sardich drew a walk in the 6th that put the tying run at the plate. Boardman just couldn’t come up with that big hit.

Emma Davies went 5 innings and gave up 5 earned runs on 8 hits.  She struck out 5 and walked 1.

Boardman is still alive as they’ll have another chance to get into the championship game.  They’ll play the winner of Iowa vs Indiana on Thursday at 11:00 AM.  The winner will meet Missouri for the regional championship.

BOARDMAN ADVANCES TO REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

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WHITESTOWN IN- The excitement continues for the Boardman Little League 12U softball team. After their opening round win, Boardman squared off with the team from Beardstown Illinois.  It was another matchup between two quality pitchers as they comibined for 19 strikeouts, but it was Emma Davies and Boardman who came out on top 5-1.

Boardman opened the game with back to back walks, and a single. Then Addie Rudge knocked in Taylor Watts for the first run of the game. Boardman tacked on another run in the 1st with an Addie Volosin RBI ground out.

The top of the order came back up in the third and set them up to score again. Watts and Davies both singled. Rudge collected another RBI groundout, and then an error scored Davies.

After Illinois scored their first run of the game in the 4th with a RBI sac bunt, Boardman came right back in the 6th with a RBI single from Katherine Rudiak that scored Mia Duble after she doubled.

Three straight groundouts ended the game for Davies. She’d finish the game with 1 earned run charged to her on 5 hits in the 6 innings. She struck out 9 and walked 0.

Boardman advances to the Regional Semifinals on Thursday as they’ll meet up with Missouri. They are the only two teams remaining that have an undefeated record in the tournament.  First pitch is slated for 4:00.

AUSTINTOWN COMPLETES SUMMER SWEEP OF POLAND TO WIN STATE

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ASHTABULA OH-

Austintown coasted to an easy victory over Poland 14-2 on Wednesday to win the Little League 10U State Championship. This is the sixth win against Poland in six games, but it is the first one that was lopsided.

Austintown got things started in the first inning when Mila Hamley tripled on a 3-2 count, scoring two runs.

Austintown put up seven runs in the third inning. They put the pressure on, lead by walks by Annabel Mikesell, Gianna Hoops, and Hamley, a single by Gracie Faunda, an error on a ball put in play by Bella Mattern, and a double by Ava Fisher.

Hamley led things off in the circle for Austintown. The righty lasted five innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out 12.

Aly Blinsky toed the rubber for Poland. The hurler surrendered nine runs on four hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out six. Sydney MacDonald threw two and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Austintown totaled ten hits. Fisher, Mattern, and Mikesell all managed multiple hits. Mikesell, Mattern, and Fisher each managed two hits to lead. Austintown stole five bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Mattern led the way with two.

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BOARDMAN CELEBRATES REGIONAL VICTORY

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WITHESTOWN IN- Monday night, Boardman 12U softball started their regional journey with a thrilling 2-0 victory to advance in the winner’s bracket of the regional tournament. The win gave Boardman a 48 hour break while awaiting their next opponent. It’s the perfect opportunity for the team to make the most out of their experience in Indiana.  On the plate after practice is a trip to the mall, and then some axe throwing. The girls took time out of their day to jump on YSN’s Running Point to share their excitement with us. Hear from some of the big names of their tournament run, and head coach Marissa Davies as the team enjoys their off day, and gears up for their next challenge.

Boardman will play Illinois on Wednesday at 7:00 in their next regional matchup. That game, along with every game of the Little League Regionals can be streamed on ESPN+.

 

AUSTINTOWN WALKS OFF INTO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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ASHTABULA OH- In the fifth meeting of the summer between Poland and Austintown, it once again came down to the wire. With arguably the most that has been on the line in the matchup to this point, Austintown got a walk off 5-4 victory in extra innings.  The win sends Austintown straight to the state championship game.

It was Bella Mattern put on the cape for her team knocking in the game winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning.  Mattern was 1-4 on the day. Mila Hamley went 1-4 with 2 RBI.  Ava Fisher knocked in the last RBI of the day for Austintown going 1-3 with a walk, and a run scored.  Gianna Hoops scored 2 runs with a pair of walks.

Hamley pitched 5 innings of shutout softball and took the win. She gave up 0 hits and struck out 14.  Annabel Mikesell pitched 3 innings giving up 0 earned runs on 3 hits, and striking out 7.

Audrina Jablonski went 1-4 for Poland with a run scored, and a RBI.  Aly Blinsky went 1-3 with a run scored, and a walk. Sydney MacDonald also walked for Poland, along with Kilaney Berendt, who crossed the plate once.

Blinsky pitched 4 strong innings for Poland. She gave up 3 earned runs on 1 hit and struck out 6. MacDonald went 3.1 IP and gave up 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 6.

Poland will play in a loser’s bracket game on Tuesday night at 6:00 to try and set up a rematch with Austintown in a winner take all championship game on Wednesday.

BOARDMAN TAKES FIRST WIN IN REGIONALS

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WHITESTOWN IN- Boardman took their talents to Indiana this week to represent the whole state of Ohio in the Little League Regionals.  With a trip to the Little League World Series a bracket win away, Boardman opened up the tournament with a 2-0 win over Kentucky.

In a pitcher’s duel between two players who bring nicknames to the circle, it was Boardman’s Emma Davies (AKA The Rocket) who beat Kentucky’s Lacyn Black (AKA The Unit). Davies finished the complete game shut out by forcing a ground ball fielder’s choice to end the game. It was a big moment in the game with Kentucky having the game-tying runs on base.

Emily Swantek and Addie Rudge both collected RBI singles throughout the game as the Boardman offense did just enough to get the win.

With the win Boardman moves on in the bracket to play the winner of Wisconsin vs Illinois. That matchup will take place tomorrow at 11:00AM. Boardman will await the winner and play them  on Wednesday at 7:00.  All games of the regional can be streamed on ESPN+.

AUSTINTOWN SHINES IN FIRST DAY AT STATE

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ASHTABULA OH- It’s been a couple weeks since we saw Austintown’s 10U softball team win the District 2 championship. After a couple of All-Star tournaments to keep them sharp, Austintown waved right through their first state tournament game with a 15-0 victory over Ashtabula.

Annabell Mikesell led off at the top of the order by going 2-3 with 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.  Gracie Faunda also swung a strong bat going 2-2 with 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.  Mila Hamley was perfect at the plate going 3-3 with 3 runs scored, and a pair of RBI.

Hamley took the win in the circle for Austintown. She pitched 2 innings of the 3 inning game. She struck out 6 and gave up no runs on no hits.