The KAU Kennett Kings won the Section 7 Senior League title and advanced to the State Tournament beginning this week. Pictured left to right are: (standing) Zack Ploener, Seth Singer, Josh Kearney, Coach Mark Ploener, Manager John Harper, Coach Mike Burns, Vincent Leo, Sean Edmonds, Hunter McLimans;
(kneeling) Drew Massetti, Ivan Yen, Jon Burns, Tyler Rafetto, Giovanni Hughes, Sam Immediato, Jacob Harper; not pictured Tyler Gilden, Ian Slicer.
While KAU Little League already is enjoying a banner season, highlighted by the 18U baseball team’s winning the Eastern Regional Championship and earning a spot in the Big League World Series in Easley, South Carolina, several teams still are on the championship trail. Four KAU squads began State Tournament play this week.
10U Softball: The KAU Hurricanes won the 2014 District 28 All-Star Softball Tournament by defeating Avon Grove 6-4 under perfect weather conditions. Mother Nature had her own ideas when it came to the tournament. Postponed games and weather delays forced the District championship to be played over three days! The KAU 10s defeated West Bradford, Avon Grove, and Lionville to advance to the Championship rematch with Avon Grove. Manager Greg Harvey, as many coaches do, attributed the victory to the fundamentals: strong pitching, key hits, solid defense, and contributions from everyone. The Hurricanes now move on to the State Playoffs hosted by West Point Little League near Pittsburgh beginning Thursday.
11U Baseball : The 4-time defending District champions won their first Section 7 title..although they barely stayed in the winners’ bracket. In the opening game versus Warwick, five KAU players hit home runs. A walkoff, two-run home run by Patrick Methlie with a full count and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning paced the KAU 11s to a 16-15 win. The squad followed with a 10-7 victory over Shippensburg before facing Warwick in a 19-17 rematch slugfest for the championship.
14U Baseball: The Junior International Team captured its Sectional title in a two-game sweep over Gettysburg, 11-4 and 8-1. The team begins play in the State Tournament in Cranberry, PA, on Thursday.
16U Baseball The KAU 16U Kennett Kings — which made it to the championship game of the Senior League World Series in 2013 — won the Section 7 Senior League International Tournament with a 13-0 victory over Pen Mar in the championship game. Josh Kearney pitched a complete game shutout to earn the win. Hunter McLimans also pitched a complete game shutout against Pen Mar earlier in the tournament for a 10-0 win. That game was also highlighted by a three-run home run hit by Sam Immediato to seal the victory. Overall, KAU outscored its opponents 35-2 in the tournament. The Kings now move on to the State Tournament in Dubois, PA, starting on Wednesday.
