By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Stars
NILES – Rain played a big factor in the opening day of the Cal Ripken Ohio Valley Regional in Lexington, Ky.
The Howard Township All-Stars had their game against Columbia, Ind. halted in the fifth inning due rain.
The game was scheduled to be resumed at 9:30 this morning.
The winner advances to the 6 p.m. game against Pleasant Prairie, Wisc., while the loser will play on Saturday morning at 10 against the loser of the Middletown-Lousville, Ky.-Springfield, Ohio contest.
The tournament continues through Monday night's championship game.
The winner advances to the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Md.
11-year-old All-Stars
The Howard Township All-Stars are in Mt. Sterling, Ky. and were scheduled to play Shelby County (Ind.) in its opening game on Thursday.
Results were unavailable at press time.
The winner advanced to face Pleasant Prairie in today's 2 p.m. contest. The loser is scheduled to play at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The tournament continues through Monday's championship game.
10-year-old All-Stars
The Howard Township All-Stars dropped a 14-4 decision to Newburgh, Ind. in its opening round game on Thursday.
Tyler Clutter was the starting pitcher and took the loss. O'Rion Tweedy and Tom Fortier also took the mound for Howard Township.
The All-Stars were limited to just three hits. Clutter, Wyatt Thornton and Brendon Meek all singled.
Niles will play again on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a consolation game against either Southeastern Kentucky or East Muskingum, Ohio.
In other action on Thursday, Okalona, Ky, defeated Evansville, Ind. 2-1 in seven innings.
The tournament continues through Tuesday with the champion heading to the Cal Ripken World Series at Vincennes Aug. 11-18.