BANGOR, Maine – The U.S. East regional champion Clifton American/National L.L. from Clifton, New Jersey, picked up their first win of the 2016 Senior League World Series on Wednesday by beating Kiwanis National L.L. from Regina, Saskatchewan, 4-0, in a consolation game at Mansfield Stadium.
“It’s nice that you get that consolation game in there. It makes the kids a little looser and they just had a real fun time playing the game,” said Clifton American/National L.L. manager Brian Valentine.
Matt Goehrig threw seven shutout innings for Clifton American/National L.L., allowing five hits and one walk. The 6-foot-4-inch right-hander struck out nine of the 27 Canadian batters he faced.
“I just went in and wanted to throw strikes, wanted to win this game because I don’t want to go 0-3 in a Little League World Series,” said Goehrig. “I just knew to pound the strike zone and the guys behind me would make plays.”
Jacob Lipp and the Kiwanis National L.L. defense shut out the New Jersey team for two and a third innings, before allowing them to score three runs.
Clifton American/National L.L. leadoff hitter Joe Bradley hit a one out single to right field and stole second base. Catcher Joey Valentine walked in the next at bat. A single up the middle from Goehrig scored Bradley and moved Valentine to second.
“I just wanted to stay down on the ball and hit it hard. I knew if I hit it hard it would find the hole,” said Goehrig.
Cleanup hitter Brandon Pena reached first and advanced each runner on a ball that was misplayed by the Canadian left fielder.
Ryan Boccafogli followed Pena with an infield single that scored Valentine, and an off-target throw from Lipp allowed a third Clifton American/National L.L. run to score.
The New Jersey team added a run in the bottom of the sixth on a single from Bradley to increase the lead to four.
Bradley finished with three hits, one run scored and one RBI, while Valentine and Boccafogli each had two hits for Clifton American/National L.L.
Lipp pitched four innings for Kiwanis National L.L., allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. Austin Ilijevski was on the mound for the final two innings, allowing two hits and one walk while recording one strikeout.
Marcus Roflik led the Canadian offense with two singles, while Kordell Yee, Josh Warsylewicz, and Adam DeCorby had one hit each.
Clifton American/National L.L. finishes the 2016 Senior League World Series with a 1-2 record. The New Jersey team lost to U.S. Southeast regional champion Dumfries District L.L. from Dumfries, Virginia, 4-3, on Sunday and was eliminated by U.S. Southwest regional champion Capitol Park L.L. from San Antonio, Texas, 12-1, on Monday.
“These kids, they’re so resilient after losses. We really don’t have to say much to them. We’ve had these kids forever, and they may hang their heads for five minutes, but after five minutes it’s forgotten about and we move on,” said Valentine. “That’s why I love this bunch of kids.”
Clifton American/National L.L. advanced to the Bangor tournament after going 4-0 in the U.S. East regional tournament, shutting out three of the opponents they faced.
Kiwanis National L.L. lost their first game to Latin America regional champion Roberto Clemente L.L. of Carolina, Puerto Rico, 8-0, on Sunday. The Canadian team survived an elimination game against Europe-Africa regional champion Catalunya L.L. from Barcelona, Spain, 1-0, on Monday, before losing to Dumfries District L.L., 4-1, on Tuesday.
Kiwanis National L.L. advanced to the Senior League World Series after going 6-1 in the Canadian regional tournament, outscoring opponents 83-27.
