Slammers win Softball World Series opener
The Levittown Slammers prior to the start of the Babe Ruth World Series. (Aug. 6, 2011) Credit: Steve Mars
LAMAR, Colo. -- Ashley Massoni had it working Saturday night.
The Levittown pitcher struck out 14 and allowed just two base runners in leading the Slammers to a 10-0 mercy-rule win over the East Central Colorado All-Stars on the first day of the Babe Ruth 16-Under Fast Pitch Softball World Series.
Triple-digit temperatures couldn't slow the Slammers' offense, which took a 5-0 lead in the first three innings.
Massoni struck out in her first two at-bats, fueling her fire on the mound.
"I got mad, and my anger came out when I pitched,'' said Massoni, who faced just 17 batters in the five-inning game. "I feel very relieved to get the first one out of the way. I was nervous at first when we went out there, but now I feel good.''
The Slammers took advantage of East Central pitcher Allie Satterly's control problems, drawing six walks and loading the bases in each of the first three innings. Satterly also hit four batters before being relieved in the fourth inning.
"This is always the best way to come out -- get the first one out of the way and send a message that we're here to stay,'' Slammers manager Mike Gordek said.
"Ashley was phenomenal, and I couldn't ask for more. When you pitch like that, you shut down your opponent's whole game.''
Levittown played "small ball'' early on, scoring a run in the first inning and two in the second and third innings. A pair of two-out hits blew the game open for the Slammers with a five-run fourth.
All five of those runs came with two outs, with Alexa Serrano singling in a pair and Danielle Fogerty slapping a two-run double to left-center.
"We always find ways to capitalize and execute,'' Gordek said. "We're a small-ball team, and then when it's time to start swinging, we start popping the ball. We know how to switch gears.''
Each of the 10 teams in the World Series will play four games during pool play, which concludes Tuesday.
The top six teams will advance to a double-elimination bracket tournament that begins Wednesday.
Levittown plays Wilson County, N.C., (1-0) Sunday at 5:30 p.m. EDT, with Gordek sending Alannah Basile to the mound.
The Slammers are wearing patches in honor of Susan Marie Rupp of Pine Hill, N.J., the daughter of the Middle Atlantic Regional commissioner, who died a year ago from ovarian cancer.
