Youth Sports Report:

Palma Ceia Softball Opens With Win

Posted Aug 11, 2008 by Nick Murray

Updated Aug 11, 2008 at 12:13 PM

Caroline Ellis hit a solo home run, and Palma Ceia Little League scored eight runs in the third inning as it won its opening game at the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash. with a 13-2 win against Windsor, Ontario.

“Good way to start the whole thing,” Palma Ceia manager Kevin Franklin said.

Paige Pitisci went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and she drove in the opening two runs of the game as Palma Ceia opened up a 4-0 first-inning lead. After Blair Martin opened the first with a single, Ashley Cozart doubled, advancing Martin to third. Pitisci then singled, scoring Martin and Cozart.

Palma Ceia added a run in the second on Ellis’ solo home run. Ellis finished the game 3-for-3, while Sarah Miller went 2-for-2 as both players had two RBIs.

“We just had a monster home run,” Franklin said of Ellis’ home run. “She probably hit it 240 feet, up in the trees.”

Starting pitcher Cozart gave up two runs in the third inning, with Ellis getting the third out as Windsor cut the lead to 5-2. Palma Ceia answered by sending 14 hitters to the plate in its half of the inning to complete the scoring. Ellis then retired Windsor in order in the fourth, as did Miller in the fifth to close out the game.

Palma Ceia has Monday off before it returns to the field on Tuesday, when it faces host Kirkland (Wash.) Little League at 3 p.m. EST. Kirkland lost its opening game 5-4 to Maunabo, Puerto Rico on Sunday.