Staff photo / Preston Byers The Austintown 10U softball team takes a photo with its championship banner after beating Canfield Grover in the District 2 title on Monday at Fields of Dreams in Boardman.

BOARDMAN — Much like their first meeting a week earlier, Austintown dominated Canfield Grover to win the 10U Little League District 2 softball championship 14-0 on Monday at Fields of Dreams in Boardman.

In the first inning, Lily Mattern struck out the side before Austintown scored five runs. Austintown did not slow down throughout Monday’s contest, keeping up the aggression and lights-out pitching en route to a four-inning victory.

“I think they really showed up as a team,” Austintown manager Mary Mattern said. “Everybody played for one another, and they executed wonderfully. They’ve been working very hard. They hit the ball very well. When there were plays that needed to be made, people made them.”

Lily Mattern set the tone early for Austintown, striking out Brooklyn Eubanks, Kenley Rogers and Gia Grover to start the game.

In the bottom of first, Lily Mattern also got Austintown’s offense going with a hard-hit infield single. Aarleah McGuire, Khloe Grimm, Carly Fodor and Nadia Price followed her with consecutive hits as Austintown grew its lead to five runs.

After another pair of strikeouts and a perfect-half inning from Lily Mattern, Austintown scored four more runs; McGuire, Fodor and Price drove in the runs to put Austintown ahead 9-0 by the end of the second.

Lily Mattern struck out the side again to start the third inning, while at the plate, Austintown widened its advantage to 14, taking advantage of key Canfield mistakes in the field.

McGuire hit a bases-clearing double to score Austintown’s 11th, 12th and 13th runs of the game before Grimm singled during the next at-bat to drive in the 14th.

“I think it’s very important to stay aggressive, and oftentimes, just putting the ball in play allows other teams to show their weaknesses,” Mary Mattern said. “We’ve been lucky to see that these girls continue to lay down bunts when we ask them to lay down bunts. They get big hits with bases loaded and two outs and the pressure is on. Just every one of the kids on the team contributes to our win every single time.”

Unbeknownst to Mary Mattern, Lily carried a perfect game into the fourth inning. Unfortunately for Austintown, its hurler, who recorded 10 strikeouts, fell just short of completing the feat; Eubanks, the opposing pitcher and final official batter, drew a walk before being thrown out at second base to bring a close to the title tilt.

“She did well,” Mary Mattern said. “She throws a lot of different pitches. Matt [Hamley] was calling her pitches, and her and him communicate very well together. So she was focused. She did what she needed to do.”

For Canfield, Monday’s loss represents a bitter end to an otherwise impressive run through the district for a relatively inexperienced 10U team.

“Our first loss was against Austintown, and it bonded the girls together. They rallied,” Canfield coach Rich Rogers said. “We had a couple of tough games after that against Boardman and Poland, and then played another Canfield team — won all three of those. So I think just losing early kind of rallied the team together.”

Rogers added that most of his squad is entering the fourth grade, so there is room to grow.

“We still have two more years in this division, so hopefully we’ll be back next year,” Rogers said.

As for Austintown, which outscored opponents 54-1 during the district tournament, the title win ensures it will compete for the state championship. The state tournament is set to begin July 10 at Fields of Dreams.

“I think continuing to master their gifts and their talent,” Mary Mattern said of what Austintown can improve before state. “Hitting when they need to hit, being selective with pitches, executing plays when they need to execute them. When you think about it, they’re 10-year-old girls, so just to see this level of softball and the knowledge that they have, it’s amazing to watch.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of their journey. Very lucky with the coaching staff. that we have with them — Matt Hamley and Randy Grimm. We all really invested all this time into these girls, but they continue to show up for us every time. Super proud of them.”