WESTFIELD – The District Two Little League Tournament for 10 and 11-year-olds features just two teams, competing in a seven-game showdown for a chance to play in sectionals, and this year has a strong Whip City flavor.
On one side, Westfield American—the South Siders from Cross Street.
On the other side, Westfield National—the North Siders from Papermill.
After sweeping both weekend games, American locates back to its home field for a 6 p.m. game three of the series, high on momentum after a pair of offensive masterpieces and pitching showcases.
American has outscored its cross-city rivals 34-1 in the first two games, led by a wide range of all-stars. Brennan Jarvis is 5-7 so far with five runs and five RBIs, including a perfect 4-4 in game two at Papermill. Joey Dekarski is 7-9 in the series three runs and three RBIs, while Connor Medeiros has added four RBIs and leadoff hitter Jake LaBombard has plated six times in two games.
The key for National to get back in the series is to prevent the big, early innings. In game one, American piled on 16 runs over the first three innings en route to a 22-0 four inning victory. A big nine-run frame in the second inning proved to be the difference in a 12-1 four inning game two victory.
While the offense is producing up and down the lineup, American has received a boost from its pitching staff. David Tirrell has pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings without giving up a hit, while striking out five and letting his defense make plays behind him.
National still has time to turn the series around and they have some talent to provide a boost. JT Oleksak leads National with a pair of hits, while Tyler Cousineau, Chris Barber and Clay Bradley also have the potential to orchestrate a major inning. Defense will be a major factor for National, as half of American’s 34 runs have been unearned in the first two games.
Tonight marks the third installment of the 2014 Whip City Classic for the 10-11 division on the South Side at Cross Street.
