Local Little League team heads to state tournament

A pitch is thrown at the District 8 Little League championship game between Hardscrabble
Little League of Clayton and Washington Court House on Monday, July 13.

LisaBernheim A pitch is thrown at the District 8 Little League championship game between Hardscrabble Little League of Clayton and Washington Court House on Monday, July 13.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Jeff Stokoe, who will umpire this year at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., worked the District 8 Little League championship game.

Lisa Bernheim Jeff Stokoe, who will umpire this year at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., worked the District 8 Little League championship game.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: District Little League championship

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By Kamari Stevens, Contributing Writer Updated 6:32 AM Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Clayton — Slugger Jackson Ford hit two home runs and drove in five runs, while starting pitcher Greg Peffley went three-for-four with a home run to lead the Clayton Hardscrabble to a 9-4 victory in Little League District 8 baseball action at Clayton Park on Monday, July 13.

After getting the third out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, the Hardscrabble, who defeated the Washington Court House All-Stars, were ready to stamp their ticket to the Little League state tournament in Tallmadge.

The further the Hardscrabble advance, the closer they get to reaching the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

The Hardscrabble, who were down two runs going into the third inning, were helped by the strong performances of Greg Peffley and Ford.

“I felt a little shaky,” Ford said. He said that a former Hardscrabble player told him to “hit one hard” after striking out on his first two trips to the plate. “They kinda got me up.”

The final score wasn’t indicative to how close the game was.

All-Stars coach Brett Knisley said his team was disappointed to not make it back to the state tournament after making it there the past two years. In defeat, Knisley was happy for the Hardscrabble.

“They’re going to have a great time at the state tournament,” Knisley said. “It’s a wonderful thing.”

Hardscrabble coach Doug Mangen said that one of the turning points in the game was when Peffley hit a home run in the third. Mangen said before that hit, he was thinking about taking their starting pitcher out, but after seeing Peffley’s homer, they left him in.

“After that (home run), he looked really good,” said Mangen, who kept Peffley in as pitcher until the fourth, when they led 4-2.

Mangen said his team was “tickled” about going to Tallmadge and thinks that his team is ready due to the schedule they’ve faced this season, including playing the All-Stars twice.

Local baseball umpire Jeff Stokoe, who was working the 2009 Ohio District 8 championship between the Hardscrabble and the All-Stars, will be taking his services to this year’s Little League World Series. Stokoe has been an umpire for more than 17 years.

Stokoe’s said that his experience in state championships helped him get the chance to umpire in the World Series.

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