The CLCF-CWLL softball team’s surge continued on Monday afternoon when it picked up a 3-0 shutout win over West Region Champion, Willcox, Arizona in the opening round of the Little League World Series in Greenville, N.C.
Lawson Bastia would start the second inning by reaching first base on a single and Olivia Graziano went on to knock her in to put Cranston on the board. The New England champs added to their lead in the third inning when Lylah Riley drove in Laila Murphy, and then Murphy would later score on a throwing error to make it 3-0.
Cranston pitcher Isabella Marcano was dominant in the circle once again and got the complete game win. Marcano escaped a jam in the second inning when Arizona had a runner on third with no outs by forcing two pop fly outs and then closing out the frame with a strikeout.
Cranston’s defense was sharp as well and also ended a big Arizona threat, this time in the fifth inning. Arizona managed to load the bases with just one out, but Cranston centerfielder Annabella Olobri would snag a fly ball and toss it to second base to force a double play, as Arizona’s baserunner failed to tag up.
Marcano finished the afternoon allowing no runs on just three hits while striking out three batters.
Cranston will next be in action on Thursday afternoon, when it is slated to take on North Carolina after it rolled past the Europe-Africa champs 16-0 on Tuesday morning. Should Cranston get the win on Thursday, it would advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the winner earning a spot in the championship game which is slated for Sunday.
The remainder of the tournament will remain broadcasted on ESPN+.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here