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Representing Pennsylvania, the Tunkhannock Little League softball team continued its march in the Major Softball East Regional on Tuesday when it defeated Fairfield (Conn.) 3-2, in Bristol, Conn.
Kaya Hannon pitched all six innings for the win and held Fairfield to three hits, surviving a rally in the final frame to win for the second time in the 10-team, double-elimination tournament. Hannon struck out 10 in the victory and was supported at the plate by Paige Marabell, who finished with two hits and an RBI.
Hannon helped her cause by driving in a run herself while Sydney Huff added a hit and an RBI. Tunkhannock went up 1-0 in the third inning and responded to a Fairfield run in the fourth with two in the top of the fifth.
Tunkhannock, which beat Pittston Area 8-2 for the state title on July 15 to advance to the regional, is one of two undefeated teams remaining. Tunkhannock beat Peabody Tanners (Mass.) 5-0 on Saturday and takes a 2-0 record into Wednesday’s semifinal matchup against the Rhode Island entrant, Cranston National Budlong.
Cranston National is also 2-0 and sports an impressive a 17-0 win over Vermont on its resume.
If Tunkhannock wins on Wednesday, it will move into Thursday’s championship round with two chances to win the tournament. A loss would send the team to an elimination game prior to Thursday’s championship round.
The winner of the East Regiona; advances to the Little League Softball World Series Aug. 8-15 in Portland, Ore.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE
8-10 BASEBALL
Mountain Top 8, Norwin 3
Winner of the District 16 and Section 5 tournaments, Mountain Top opened play at states with a victory over Norwin at Indiana Little League.
Eric Swerdon (2-for-3) broke things open with a three-run double, while Jade Shedlock (3-for-4) homered and scored three times. Zach Stavish and Chase Galella both went 2-for-4.
Connor Wagaman got the win on the mound, pitching four innings and striking out five. He also added a hit at the plate and scored twice.
Mountain Top’s path toward a state title continues at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Kovalchick Field in Indiana against either State College or Caln Township.