Boardman jumped out to an early lead and after three innings of play the 12-year-old All-Star Spartans were ahead 102, but the young Falcons wouldn't go down without a valiant fight. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Austintown All-Stars rallied as Vinnie Direnzo smacked a three-run triple, followed by David Durda and Blake Benyo hitting a pair of doubles which tied the game at 10. An RBI single by Emanuel Dawkins would put Austintown ahead and the frame would end with the Falcons ahead 11-10.
The Spartans took the field in the top of the sixth and lead-off batter Luke Cardillo lambasted a home run ball well over the 200 foot sign in right field to knot the game at 11. Michael Cunningham hit a triple into left center and was driven home when a ball hit to center field was misplayed allowing Cunningham to score the go-ahead run.
Boardman's Jarod Wilson, who had been brought in at the bottom of the fifth as a relief pitcher, went back on the mound in the bottom of the sixth and shut down the Austintown All-Stars to secure Boardman's 12-year-olds a second consecutive District championship.
Article Photos
Center fielder David Durda makes a great catch and steals a sure home run from Boardman’s Dominic Pecchia during the Little League District championship on July 11 in Boardman