Cumberland American blanks Cranston Western

The Cranston Herald ·

The Cranston Western 11/12-year-old all-stars couldn’t get past Cumberland American in the winners’ bracket final of the state tournament on Sunday evening at Johnston’s Kennedy Field, falling in a pitchers’ duel, 2-0.

CWLL right-hander Perry Gaudreau pitched a tremendous game, but he would ultimately be out-dueled by Cumberland American’s Charlie Tarara, who fired 5 2/3 innings while yielding just four hits and no runs.

CWLL had opportunities to score, but it couldn’t capitalize. It put the first two hitters on base to start the second inning, but Tarara buckled down to strike out Nike Masse before getting Nick Williams to ground out and Marcus Chung to strike out to end the threat.

Tarara would also drive in the game-winning run for Cumberland American, bringing Andrew Ray home on a ground out off Gaudreau in the third inning. Power hitter Jack LaRose would double that lead an inning later as well, when he belted a home run over the fence in centerfield to make it 2-0.

Cranston Western had a chance to cut into its deficit in the fifth when it had two runners on base, but Gaudreau hit a hard ground ball to third for a force out as CWLL came up empty once again.

CWLL was set to play South Kingstown on Tuesday in a win-or-go-home game, but results were unavailable at press time. The winner will play Cumberland American on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., with an if necessary game set for Friday at 6:30 p.m.