CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Using 13 hits and some strong pitching from Wyatt Waterson and Paul Craig, the Clarion 10-and-under Little League team captured the District 25 title with a 15-0, three-inning win over Titusville Tuesday night at Paul A. Weaver Park in Clarion.
“The focus was the key,” Clarion manager Luke Huwar said. “We brought it in all three facets of the game. I think the boys knew what tonight was. They have been steadily ramping up their play throughout the last couple of games. I thought we were really solid in all phases of the game — pitching, fielding and hitting. It showed it our results.”
Clarion scored multiple runs in each of its three at-bats pushing five runs across in the first inning on three hits, three Titusville errors, a walk and a hit batter then adding seven runs on seven hits and a hit batter in the second when 11 batters were sent to the plate and then ended the game with three runs in the third on three hits and three walks.
“I think our hitting has gotten better every game,” Huwar said. “The first game we scored some runs but it wasn’t by great hits, per say. This game, I thought we scored a lot of runs by hitting the ball. Hopefully, that carries through into Sectionals. I think the team has come together and improved each game. Our goal is to continue that at Sectionals.”
Parker Miller, Nathan Frederick and Ethan Rex each had two hits for Clarion.
Miller was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Frederick was 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored and two RBIs and Rex was 2-for-2 with three runs scored.
Craig got the win in relief of Watterson going 1 ⅔ innings of scoreless relief allowing one hit and a hit batter while striking out three.
Craig’s first two strikeouts came in a big spot for Clarion in the second inning after Watterson walked the bases loaded while recording an out.
Huwar called on Craig, a lefty, and the kid responded by striking out a pair of batters to end the threat.
“I thought he was our best pitcher tonight,” Huwar said. “He did that for us in Game One or Game Two, I think Game One. We put him in a tough situation with two guys on base, and he delivered. I thought he was our best pitcher and that was the key to our defensive game and keeping runs off the board tonight.”
Clarion moves into the Section 1 Tournament, which is being held July 16-20 in Meadville.
The Clarion Nine will take on the District 10 champion DuBois, while Meadville will play the District 3 champion. Both games will be Monday, July 16, with the Clarion DuBois game at 3 p.m. and the second game at 6 p.m. The winners will then play Tuesday, July 17, at 6 p.m. with the loser’s also playing Tuesday, July 17, at 3 p.m. The loser of Tuesday’s winner’s bracket contest will play the winner of Tuesday’s loser’s bracket at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, with the first championship game being played at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 19, and a winner-take-all title game if the loser’s bracket winner wins on Thursday, being played at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20. The winner of the Sectional Tournament moves into the State Tournament.
“I think our goals for Sectionals is going to be continuing to eliminate mistakes,” Huwar said. “I’m sure the pitching will get a little bit tougher and the teams are going to get tougher as well. We have done well defensively in limiting mistakes and limiting walks. If we keep those things to a minimum, I think we are going to be competitive in every game.”
