C.A.L.L. 11-12 Year Old Baseball All-Stars Down Oil City 14-1; To Play At Weaver Park On Wednesday At 8:00 P.M. (06/30/15)

(By Clarion Little League Baseball President Brian Smail)

The 11&12 year old baseball all-stars kicked off their tournament with a 4 inning, 14-1 victory over Oil City. The field looked as if it had as much water as it could take, and a light rain threatened the 6:00 start on Monday night. Heaven must like baseball because the rain ceased around 5:40 and stayed away for the duration of the game.

After the opening festivities, Clarion won the coin toss and became the home team. Hayden Callen took to the mound and struck out the first two batters. The third batter hit a single. Catcher Cole Slaugenhoup fired a perfect strike to shortstop Cal German as the runner tried to steal 2nd. Hayden and the team finished the half inning with 13 pitches.

The Clarion half of the first began with a hit from Slaugenhoup. After a single by German, Noah DiTullio was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brady Fowkes then earned an RBI by walking, then German scored on a passed ball. DiTullio then scored after Christian Simko skied a pop fly that was mishandled by the fielder. Logan Lerch followed by hitting a 2 RBI single that scored Simko and Fowkes. Brecken Rex pinch ran for Lerch, and moved to 2nd base on a wild pitch. Ethan Burford hit a hot infield single that enabled Rex to score. Burford got to 2nd base and then stole 3rd. The inning finished as Clarion batted through their lineup and the score was 6-0 after the first.

Clarion did not let up on defense as they took the field in the top of the 2nd inning. Oil City led off with a single. The next batter was out at 1st base by fielder’s choice, moving the runner to 2nd. He then tried to steal 3rd, only to be gunned out by Slaugenhoup. The final out came as the batter hit it to Callen who then threw him out to first baseman Lerch.

The Clarion half of the 2nd inning produced 8 runs. It began with Callen being walked and reaching 2nd from a passed ball. DiTullio got on base and stole 2nd as Callen stole 3rd. Fowkes then walked to load the bases. Callen and Ditullio scored due to great hustle on passed balls. Simko then had a base hit to right field that scored Fowkes. The life was out of the Oil City pitcher as Lerch was walked, then both Simko and Lerch advanced on a passed ball. Conner Kromer was at the plate and was hit by a hard pitch. Ethan Burford came in to pinch run. Rex then had a hot infield single that produced an RBI. Slaugenhoup became the 3rd Clarion batter to be hit by a pitch. Burford then scored on a passed ball. German then hit a 2 RBI triple. Callen then singled in German and the inning ended with Clarion holding a commanding 14-0 lead.

Clarion and Oil City finished the game with good pitching and defense from both teams. Callen left the game having thrown only 35 pitches. Cole Slaugenhoup finished the game and Oil City managed to only score one run. Both pitchers from Clarion did an amazing job. Of the 12 outs of the game, 8 of them came via the strikeout. The offense was equally outstanding as they only batted 3 times.

District Administrator Bob Wilson then informed us that the Wednesday, July 1st game will be held in Clarion. The game is going to be Clarion vs. Butler Township and the game is scheduled to start at 8:00. We hope to see you all there!