Resilient Salem will get another shot at South Vineland in District 3 winner’s bracket game Sunday
By Riverview Sports News
ELMER – The Salem Little League 12U All-Stars have been nothing short of resilient during this District 3 Tournament. They used the long ball Friday to put together their second dramatic win in as many nights, this time rallying to beat East Vineland 6-3 in the opening game of the district championship series.
Salem now plays South Vineland in a winner’s bracket game 5 p.m. Sunday in Millville. East Vineland and Millville American play in an elimination game at 7.
“That’s what we talked to them before the game about, that tonight was the most important one, get this one and set yourself on a path,” Salem manager Brian Dolbow said. “Sunday’s game is against the other winner and if we can pull that one out, we’re in the driver’s seat.
“We were just trying to lay it out in front of them and kind of challenge them a little bit. This is the path and the best, easiest, path is to stay in the winner’s bracket. If we can pull one out on Sunday we would be in a really good position.”
Salem lost to South Vineland 4-3 in eight innings in their first game of pool play.
Salem trailed twice against East Vineland, 1-0 in the first inning and 3-2 in the second, but rallied both times to take the lead.
Pitcher Drew Sutton hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give his team its first lead, 2-1. Gabe Parsons drilled a three-run shot in the third to snap a 3-3 tie and put his team up for good.
“These kids never quit,” coach Brian Sutton said. “They don’t ever give up, they keep fighting.”
Sutton pitched into the sixth inning before he reached his pitch limit. In 5 2/3 innings he allowed four hits, no earned runs and struck out eight. He’s only allowed two earned runs and struck out 31 in three tournament appearances (15 2/3 innings). He’s also 8-for-10 with two homers and six RBIs at the plate.
Taryn Priore got the final out, throwing three pitches. Sutton and Priore know what it takes to win here, having played on last year’s Alloway district championship team.
Parsons, who had the game-winning hit in Salem’s walk-off win over Buena Thursday to earn its spot in the playoffs, went 2-for-2 with three RBIs. He has homered in three straight games and is 6-for-11 with 12 RBIs in the tournament.
“He’s a special player for 12 years old, that’s for sure,” Dolbow said. “He’s just got lightning-quick hands. Super athletic. He’s a heck of a hitter. For a 12-year-old kid, he’s got a very good swing, good mechanics and, obviously, he’s super athletic. He can play anywhere. He’s very versatile, helps us out a ton that way.”
East Vineland took a 3-2 lead with two runs in the second. Salem tied it in the fourth when Ben Parkell scored on a passed ball. Parsons hit his game-winning homer two batters later.
“They’ve fought hard every game we’ve played,” Dolbow said. “These boys have got some mental toughness about them for 12-year-olds. They’re able to shake it off and get to the next play. That’s the kind of mentality we’re looking for as coaches.”
DISTRICT 3 LL PLAYOFFS
Game 1
East Vineland 120 000 – 3 4 2
Salem 204 00x – 6 4 3
WP: Drew Sutton (1-0). LP: Luca Buono. 2B: Wesley Perkins (EV). HR: Drew Sutton (S), Gabe Parsons (S).
Game 2
South Vineland 101 051 – 8 14 1
Millville American 000 200 – 2 8 0
Riverview Sports News 