Kevin DiCola saved his best performance of the season for the perfect moment.
DiCola tossed his first no-hitter of the year, giving the Auburn 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars a 10-0 win over Wellsville in the semifinals of the New York Little League Sectional Tournament in Elmira, Sunday.
“I always tell our pitchers the most important pitch is strike one,” Auburn coach Mike Charles said. “Kevin was really good with that today. He was ahead of hitters, kept them on their heels, had a nice curveball and kept them guessing.”
Auburn plays the winner of Fayetteville-Manlius and Mel Ott, of Buffalo, Tuesday for the sectional title and an opportunity to advance to the state final four in the Bronx.
DiCola (six strikeouts) was backed by an error-free defense.
Auburn jumped out in front early, as Trenton Ward led off the game with a double off the left-field wall. He scored on a Mike Charles sacrifice fly. Later in the first inning, DiCola delivered an RBI single.
Auburn posted three more runs in the second on a Charles three-run triple.
Jack Burgmaster (two RBIs) and Ward (two RBIs, three runs) led Auburn with two hits apiece while Brandon Delf delivered a key single in the fourth inning.
Auburn 65
Westville 52
“I always tell our pitchers the most important pitch is strike one,” Auburn coach Mike Charles said. “Kevin was really good with that today. He was ahead of hitters, kept them on their heels, had a nice curveball and kept them guessing.”
Auburn plays the winner of Fayetteville-Manlius and Mel Ott, of Buffalo, Tuesday for the sectional title and an opportunity to advance to the state final four in the Bronx.
DiCola (six strikeouts) was backed by an error-free defense.
Auburn jumped out in front early, as Trenton Ward led off the game with a double off the left-field wall. He scored on a Mike Charles sacrifice fly. Later in the first inning, DiCola delivered an RBI single.
Auburn posted three more runs in the second on a Charles three-run triple.
Jack Burgmaster (two RBIs) and Ward (two RBIs, three runs) led Auburn with two hits apiece while Brandon Delf delivered a key single in the fourth inning.
Auburn 65
Westville 52
