Keller, Ellwood City Down Riverside To Claim 69th Little League Championship

Jordan Keller powered Ellwood City to a 10-8 victory over Riverside Saturday night, helping EC claim its championship in the 69th Ellwood City Little League Tournament.

Keller collected a home run, two doubles and six RBI. Ellwood City successfully defended its title from last season and won its first back-to-back titles since 1971-1972. Ellwood City defeated Mars, 4-2, to win last year’s championship.

Riverside took the early lead with three runs in the first inning. After a strikeout, Logan Young reached on an error and Jackson Barber followed with a single. Alex Weisz followed with a three-run homer over the left field fence to give Riverside a 3-0 lead. Ellwood City got one run back in their half of the inning. Jake Biskup walked and Nate Kennedy followed with a force out retiring Biskup. Keller followed with a double scoring Kennedy to cut the Riverside lead to 3-1.

In the top of the second inning with one out, Joe Chill homered for Riverside over the left field fence to up their lead to 4-1. Gavin Coyne reached base on an error and Cole Vogel doubled to place two runners in scoring position. Logan Young followed with a sinking line drive that was caught on a diving catch by Ellwood City centerfielder Dom Hogue who threw to second base to complete a double play. The catch saved two runs and kept a possible five run deficit at four runs.

Ellwood City mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead. With one out, Hogue was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, Biskup drew a base on balls. Nate Kennedy reached on an error scoring Hogue to make the score 4-2. Keller followed with a double scoring Biskup and Kennedy to tie the score at 4-4. Carlo Nardone drew a walk and Anthony Barberio was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Adam Zikeli was hit by a pitch scoring Keller to give Ellwood City a 5-4 lead. Colton Hardy followed with a single scoring Nardone and Barberio to increase the Ellwood City lead to 7-4.

Barber led off the third inning for Riverside with a line drive that was snagged on a fine catch Ellwood City rightfielder Geordan Boker. Weisz then followed with his second home run of the night for Riverside to reduce the deficit to 7-5. Ellwood City scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to increase their lead. Bokor was hit by a pitch and Biskup reached base on an error. After a fly out, Keller belted a three-run homer driving in Bokor and Biskup before him to give Ellwood City a 10-5 lead.

Riverside mounted a strong two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning. After a ground out and pop-out, Young drew a base on balls. Barber reached on an error and Weisz walked to load the bases. Tyler Richards followed with a single scoring Young and Barber to make it 10-7. An errant throw to the plate allowed Weisz to score to make it 10-8. But Richards was thrown out trying to advance to third base on a throw by Ellwood City catcher Keller to third baseman Zikeli to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Ellwood City pitcher Kennedy struck out the side to end the game and give Ellwood City the title.

Keller led Ellwood City at the plate with a home run, two double and a walk with six RBI. Hardy singled with two RBI. Zikeli singled and drew a walk. Biskup reached base all four times on two walks and two errors. Nardone drew two walks. Weisz led Riverside at the plate with two home runs, a walk and four RBI. Chill homered with one RBI. Richards singled with two RBI and Barber added a single.

Keller was the starting and winning pitcher. He fanned four batters. Kennedy picked up the save with three innings of work. He allowed one hit and without and earned run. He struck out six batters.

Pictured Below (Left to Right):Front row: Adam Zikeli, Jake Biskup, Dom Hogue, Anthony Barberio, Geordan Bokor; Second Row: Colton Hardy, Caden Charmo, Jordan Keller, Carlo Nardone, Nate Kennedy; Third Row: Doug Hogue, Coach, Tim Kennedy, Manager, Keith Keller, Coach, Missing from picture: Luke Bleakney, player, Jim Bleakney, Coach