Norwalk Connecticut's #10 Bryan Daniello flips after missing the line drive hit in a game against Youngstown, Ohio.
 

Youngstown, Ohio holds off late Norwalk, Conn. rally for victory
 

By GUS SHLIMBAUM
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY – If the thrilling finish  at Game 1 of the Babe Ruth World  Series is any indication of the type  of exciting baseball that will be  played this week at Adams field,  the spectators are in for a treat.
   Youngstown, Ohio, held off a  late rally by Norwalk, Conn., to  pull out a 4-3 victory and win the  first pool play game.
   Trailing 4-2 entering the top of  the seventh, Norwalk clawed back  into the game, loading the bases  with nobody out.  Their fans  stomped in unison in the metal  stands, creating an electric atmo sphere. It was not enough though,  as a 6-4-3 double-play, which  scored one run, followed by a  game-ending ground ball to the  pitcher, dashed Norwalk’ hopes.
   Pulling out close games is  something Youngstown has gotten  used to throughout its run to this  point.
   “We’re tough,” Youngstown  manager Terry Landis said, “be lieve me, we’ve done this all the  time from the states to the region als.  It seems like we just come  through.”
   The game itself was back-and- forth for the first six innings.
   Youngstown got on the score board in the bottom of the first in ning when Dan Popio grounded  out on a hard-hit ball, which  scored Justin Fleo, who had led off  the inning with a double.
   Norwalk scored two runs in the   fourth inning to take the lead.  Ian  Fleming hit a run-scoring triple  and the next batter, James Cook sey, drove him in with a single.
    Youngstown then retook the  lead in the bottom of the inning, 3- 2, on a run-scoring double by the  player of the game, Ricky Jones.   The next batter, Corey Pitzo, drove  him in.
   Jones also hit a run-scoring sin gle in the bottom of the sixth in ning.

 
Youngstown, Ohio's #5 Andre Jones dives back to first base on a pickoff attempt by the Norwalk, Connecticut pitcher.