GREENVILLE, NC — Now that the bats — and the weather — are warming, West Point is finding its comfort zone in the Little League Softball World Series.
West Point scored in each of its first three innings — highlighting the third by five runs — to oust New England Regional champion Cranston Western of Cranston, Rhode Island, 10-0 in four innings in an elimination game Saturday at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium on the campus of East Carolina University.
West Point will face Pitt County in good weather. The game is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The winner will qualify for the final at 3 p.m.
In recent days, West Point has come a long way since losing its opening game to West Region champion Willcox, Arizona, dropping 15 times in the competition.
“There were some nerves involved,” West Point coach Matt Maiers said. “I felt like the nerves were still kind of there, but when we got here, they started to relax. And the hitters just came alive and they started hitting. It started to be fun.”
The pitching was solid and Jayelyn Luft got the win by allowing two hits, one walk, five strikeouts and striking out one batter.
“She’s always solid,” Maiers said. “She can throw and with her speed on the bases she’s a one-two punch.”
The defense was flawless again. But the bats came to life again.
Luft opened the game with an infield single and Jocelyn Luft reached second base on a throwing error when Cranston Western shortstop Jayelyn Luft attempted to hold second base before attempting to force an out with a missed throw to first. Morgan Maiers then hit a double to left field, scoring both Lufts and giving West Point a 2-0 lead.
Braelyn Graft hit a triple just inside third base to start the second inning. Sofia Porreca reached first base on a fielder’s decision. Peyton Reamer’s sacrifice fly brought Graft home, Mia Graft was hit by a pitch and Lily Carroll brought Porreca home with a single. Mia Graft later scored on a groundout by Alana Graft to increase West Point’s lead to five.
The third inning left no doubt. Jocelyn Luft hit the first pitch deep into left field for a triple. Maiers followed with a single and caught Luft for her third RBI of the game. Lexi Stabile, Porreca, Reamer and Mia Graft also had hits.
West Point scored five points on six hits and sent ten batters to the plate.
“When we got going and everyone kind of believed they could hit, it was contagious,” Matt Maiers said of the third inning. “Everyone wanted to go. One through 12 (in the batting order). They felt it and it was a good day with the hitters.”
Next up is Pitt County, the North Carolina champion, which has three wins in the tournament – all of which came in four innings or less under the mercy rule – and has a combined record of 42-0.
“I think our defense is ready for it,” Maiers said. “They’re a tough team. We see what they’ve done, and they’re a really solid team. They’ve got three really good pitchers, and some of them are unbelievable, so they’ve been tough.”
But after playing on a day where the heat – not the rain and wind of Tropical Storm Debby – took center stage, West Point wants to rest and cool down a bit.
“We’ll find air conditioning, I know that, and we’ll get out of this heat,” Maiers said, smiling but serious. “We’ll sit in the air conditioning, watch the game again and watch this.”
