Saugus swims laps around foes in pool
Massachusetts champs claim first place in Pool A

By Mark Rogoff
Special Correspondent

In this "Jock Jams" of a World Series, one-run games are becoming the norm for the Saugus American Little League All-Stars.

For the 3rd straight game Saugus found itself in a one-run contest, and for the 3rd straight game the kids with the Boston accents came out on top, this time defeating Boynton Beach 4-3 Monday evening at Volunteer Stadium.

The New England region champs finish first in Pool A with a 3-0 record while the Florida state champs finished 2nd with a 2-1 mark. Saugus plays in Thursday’s U.S. semi-final, and Boynton Beach takes the field in Wednesday’s.

“We just keep our heads together,” said Saugus head coach Rob Rochenski. “We’re just dying for the last out.”

That last out, or 2 outs rather, were recorded via a double play, the 2nd time in 3 games Saugus has closed it out with one.

Saugus hurler Joseph Kasabuski took a 4-2 lead into the home half of the 6th, and surrendered a line-drive home run to leadoff man Michael Broad. The ball carried over a Little League sign in right-center, and continued to bounce around a few rows of cars like a pin ball. All at 300 feet or so away from home plate.

“I was kind of laughing when he hit, he hit it so hard,” Kasabuski said.

Saugus batters continued to hit the ball hard, but this time the holes were found. All they had to show for their previous 2 wins was a combined 4 runs and 10 hits. The Massachusetts state champs tonight scored 3 runs on 4 hits in the first inning alone.

“It was nice to see the kids come out and start hitting the ball,” Rochenski said.

Craig Cole, who batted leadoff in Saugus’s first 2 pool games, slid down to the 6th hole to relieve any potential pressure. He responded by going 2-for-2 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI.

The 2nd baseman upped his average to .308 (8-for-26) from .250 since the start of regional play August 3 vs. Vermont.

“I was a little nervous (batting leadoff),” he said. “They moved me down, so I was more comfortable.”

Kasabuski earned the complete-game victory, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 4.

Rochenski noted the assistant coaches wanted to pull the hurler when he worked himself into trouble in the 6th. The skipper didn’t budge, letting the kid finish what he started.

“I just tried my hardest to get out of that jam and win the game,” Kasabuski said. “I was a little nervous, but I just came out and tried my hardest.”

Added Rochenski: “He’s your typical Little Leaguer. He comes to play. He doesn’t get too high or low. He just takes it in stride.”

Boynton Beach had threatened early on, too – pulling within a run at 3-2 in the 3rd when Devon Travis, who hit a one-out double down the left field line, scored on a wild pitch after moving to 3rd on a passed ball. Saugus bounced right back with a run in top of the 4th. Tyler Calla’s RBI single brought home Cole, who led off the frame with a walk.

It was a good game, a very good game,” said Florida coach Tony Travis. “We were just outplayed today. (Our guys) came in a little sluggish, but we just couldn’t bang our way out of the box.”