By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

Rowan Little League is damaging some softballs in Portland, Oregon.

On Thursday afternoon, Rowan pounded another opponent in pool play in the 12U Little League World Series being played at Alpenrose Stadium. Rowan (2-0) routed the Canadian champs from Victoria, British Columbia, 16-1, in four innings.

“We’re just hitting the heck out of the ball, and that’s 1 through 10 in the lineup,” Rowan manager Johnny Meadows said. “We’re blistering it. We’re knocking it around.”

After scoring 10 runs in the top of the first inning on Wednesday in a 17-7 win against Utah, Rowan took a 6-0 lead in the top of the first in Thursday’s action.

“At this level of softball, it’s actually a pretty big advantage to be the visiting team,” Meadows said. “It makes it easier to get everyone on the team into the game, and it also gives you a great chance to jump on the other team and play from in front.”

At the top of the Rowan lineup, Emma Clarke and Kenadi Sproul are doing a great job of getting on base. Clarke went 2-for-2 against Canada and scored three runs. She’s already scored seven runs in the tournament. Sproul scored two runs against Canada and has five runs scored in the tournament.

“They’re getting on base 80 percent of the time,” Meadows said. “That’s a big help.”

Madelyn VonCanon went 2-for-2 with three RBIs on Thursday. Brooke Piper and Kendall Robinson drove in two runs apiece and also scored twice. Allie Burns, Ashlee Ennis and Brooke Kennerly had a hit apiece.

“We’re getting a lot of quality at-bats,” Meadows said. “I was impressed with Canada’s pitcher, but our girls have been hard to strike out. When they get two strikes on them, they’re putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the defense.”

Karsen Simpson pitched 3 1/3 innings for Rowan to earn the win, while Robinson got the other two outs. Simpson was able to pitch around six walks because she allowed only one hit.

“We’re going to need more strikes from our pitchers to be successful,” Meadows said. “Our pitchers have battled a little bit of nerves so far. That’s the biggest thing we’re working on now, just staying calm and throwing a lot of strikes.”

Besides Utah and Canada, Rowan’s five-team pool includes Czech Republic and Delaware, the East Regional champion. Four teams will advance from pool play to bracket play. With two wins in the bank, Rowan is already certain to advance.

Delaware is going to be the toughest obstacle for Rowan as far as finishing first in the pool. Rowan plays Delaware tonight. The first pitch will be at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

“Delaware has a really solid team,” Meadows said. “This should be one of the best games of the tournament.”

Rowan LL    620   8   —   16   10  1

Canada       001     0    —   1     1     3

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12U World Series Schedule

Pool A
2-0 Rowan Little League (USA Southeast)
1-0 Bear, Delaware (USA East)
0-1 Cedar City, Utah (USA West)
0-0 Czech Republic (Eruope-Africa)
0-2 Victoria, Brit. Columbia (Canada)
Pool B
0-1 Bacolod City, Philippines (Asia-Pacific)
0-2 Coamo, Puerto Rico (Latin America)
1-1 Oregon District 4 (host)
1-0 Floyds Knobs, Indiana (USA Central)
2-0 Waco, Texas (USA Southwest)

Pool play
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Delaware 12, Canada 0
Texas 11, Oregon 1
Indiana 10, Puerto Rico 0
Rowan 17, Utah 7

Thursday, Aug. 10
Texas 10, Puerto Rico 0
Rowan 16, Canada 1
Oregon 1, Philippines 0 Delaware vs. Czech Republic

Friday, Aug. 11
1 — Indiana vs. Philippines
4 — Utah vs. Czech Republic
7 — Rowan vs. Delaware
10 — Oregon vs. Puerto Rico

Saturday, Aug. 12
1 — Utah vs. Delaware
6 — Indiana vs. Oregon
8:30 — Canada vs. Czech Republic
10:30 — Philippines vs. Texas

Sunday, Aug. 13
Noon — Rowan vs. Czech Republic
3 — Puerto Rico vs. Philippines
6 — Texas vs. Indiana
9 — Utah vs. Canada Championship play

Monday, Aug. 14
1 — Pool A 2nd vs. Pool B 3rd (ESPN2)
4 — Pool A 4th vs. Pool B 1st (ESPN2)
7 — Pool A 3rd vs. Pool B 2nd (ESPNews)
10 — Pool B 4th vs. Pool A 1st (ESPNU)

Monday, Aug. 15
Noon — Pool A 5th vs. Pool B 5th
6:30 — Semifinal (ESPN2)
9 — Semifinal (ESPN2)

Tuesday, Aug. 16
Noon — Consolation
2:30 — Consolation
5 — Consolation
9 — Championship (ESPN2)