ELYRIA — Give 12-year-old Brodie Stewart a four-run lead, and most often you can expect a big win.
Such was the case for Stewart and his Ryan-St. Marie Insurance teammates as they trounced Bay Mechanical 14-0 Sunday in the Little League Majors (11- and 12-year-olds) city championship at Vic Janowicz Park in an all-Little League East final.
The champions needed just three hits to score four runs in the top of the first inning. Two of the hits didn’t get past the pitcher’s mound, as they were able to do the damage with small ball.
This was all that Stewart would need, as he faced only one batter over the minimum for the first 32/3 innings. He collected eight of his 12 strikeouts during the span, with five coming on called third strikes.
“We’ve had a different player step up and lead us in each game so far this season,” said manager Matt St. Marie, who’s in his 31st year with Little League. “Our only loss is to Bay Mechanical. Our 12-year-olds (Stewart and Patrick Higley) stepped up today. When we got the early lead, it was nice to have their leadership for a big win for us.”
After a shaky start, losing pitcher Jacob Lease settled down, allowing just one run until the fifth inning when Ryan-St. Marie scored three. With one out, Higley doubled down the right-field line before Jared Schultz was hit by a pitch. Higley and Schultz ran home on Stewart’s triple to the fence, and Stewart scored on a fielder’s choice.
Stewart lost his bid for a no-hitter when Ken Burngasser singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. A wild pitch put Burngasser on second, but Stewart caught the next three batters looking at third strikes.
The champions sent 12 men to the plate in the sixth inning, scoring six runs and more than ensuring themselves of the championship trophy after finishing second last year.
Stewart struck out the leadoff batter in the bottom of the sixth before reaching the 85-pitch limit and being replaced by Jack Klingshirn, who struck out the next two batters on eight pitches.
“The key today was that we got the early lead,” said Stewart. “I threw a lot of fastballs, but occasionally I was able to get by with my change-up. I kept them off balance even though they know my pitches.”
“We lost in the finals last year,” said St. Marie. “I can remember the tears that we shed after that game. So, I told my players to go for no tears today and to win the championship.”
Bay Mechanical manager Dan Lease said his team had an off day.
“Our boys didn’t hit,” said Lease. “We just didn’t do the things that we’re capable of doing. Despite this, I’m proud of where we’re at and that we made it to the championship game.”

Pais takes third

Jacob Csizmadia’s two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning gave Pais Auto Service a lead it wouldn’t relinquish en route to a 14-9 win over Dicken Funeral Home in Sunday’s third-place game.
Jacob Frish and Michael Izzarelli made outstanding defensive plays in the bottom of the fifth inning to preserve the win for relief pitcher Andrew Perkins in another game between Little League East teams.

 

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