World Series: Kirkland beats USA Central, qualifies for knockout round

The Junior Softball World Series might have found a rising offensive star in Kirkland’s Sasha Mitchell.

The shortstop and cleanup hitter cracked four base hits and five RBIs on Tuesday evening, leading the Kirkland Junior League softball team to a 13-5 win over Poland, Ohio, at Everest Park.

Mitchell has 11 RBIs through four pool play games for Kirkland (Host, 2-2) which qualified for the knockout round when Asia-Pacific (0-3) lost to Canada (2-1) earlier on Tuesday.

The top four teams from each five-team pool advance to the knockout round, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday.

Though eight of the 10 competing teams will play again on Wednesday, Mitchell’s batting numbers easily lead the field. She was good for a double and a triple on Tuesday against Poland (Central, 2-1).

“She’ll hit against fast pitching; she’ll hit against slower pitching,” said Kirkland manager Mikal Norman. “She just seems to be able to put the bat on the ball.”

Mitchell also put up five RBIs in Kirkland’s win over Asia-Pacific on Monday. It was a far cry from the opening game of the tournament, an 8-5 loss to Canada on July 31 in which Kirkland fell into an early hole.

On Tuesday morning, Kirkland dropped a tough game to Rowan, N.C. (Southeast, 2-1) after leading in the third and sixth innings.

“I feel a little better [tonight],” Mitchell said. “I rested after the first game, and I feel like I came back into it a little bit more like my head was in it.”

Kirkland jumped out to an early lead against Poland, and scored six runs in the top of the second inning. A four-run burst in the top of the fifth inning put Kirkland ahead 12-4.

Antonia Norman started in the pitcher’s circle, going two innings with six hits and four earned runs. Mackenzie Burke stepped in and threw four innings with four hits and three strikeouts before Jane Wilson took the circle to close out the victory.

Wilson, who has pitched two complete games and 17 innings in three days, was grateful for the rest — and the early edge on Tuesday evening.

“That was really nice,” she said. “It gives confidence, and then with more runs and good defense, it just builds up and leads to good things.”

Haley Brown and Kaci Gordon finished just behind Mitchell at the plate with three RBIs apiece for Kirkland. Both have six RBIs through four games.

Jackie Grisdale had three RBIs for Central. Brooke Bobbey finished with four hits, and also pitched a complete game with four earned runs and one strikeout. Poland committed six errors.

Mikal Norman said Wilson was the likely starter on Thursday when Kirkland is scheduled to resume play.

Kirkland will either play the top team from Group B at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, or the second team from Group B at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Final group standings will be completed on Wednesday afternoon.

TUESDAY RESULTS:

USA West (3-0) beat USA Southwest (2-2) in Group B, 11-8

Latin America (3-0) beat USA East (0-3) in Group B, 3-1

Canada (2-1) beat Asia Pacific (0-3) in Group A, 2-1

USA Southwest (2-2) beat Europe Africa (0-3) in Group A, 3-2

GROUP STANDINGS

Group A

USA Central (2-1)

USA Southeast (2-1)

Canada (2-1)

Kirkland (2-2)

Asia-Pacific (0-3)