Little league pitcher nears perfect game

Martinez-Evans Little League baseball player Travis Cerasuolo came close to pitching perfection during a game last week with the MELL American League All-star team, but he wasn't about to do any cartwheels.

Travis had been hampered earlier this season by a wrist injury incurred while doing cartwheels, but as he showed last Monday, the right-hander has fully recovered his form.

In the opener of the District 6, Area 2 Little League tournament at Eisenhower Park, Travis struck out 18 West Augusta Little League All-star batters - the 11-12 age division plays six-inning games, so all 18 outs were on whiffs.

The MELL Americans earned a 1-0 win when Travis launched a solo home run. Along with the 18 strikeouts - most of which were set up by a wicked curve - Travis walked two and allowed two hits.

After the American League closed the Area 2 tournament with two more wins, including another complete-game victory by Travis in the finals on Thursday, people were still talking about the earlier pitching performance.

"I've seen some pretty dominating games, but never one quite like that - never 18 strikeouts," MELL American manager Lee Walker said.

Travis took the mound in the third round against the Martinez-Evans Little League National All-stars, and things got a little shaky - he gave up three hits in the first inning, as the Nationals took a 1-0 lead.

"After you strike out 18, I think Travis and the other boys were kind of shocked," Walker said.

From there, Travis settled down and worked five scoreless innings, striking out 10 and allowing just one hit to help the Americans take a 3-1 win.