Local players help Babe Ruth All-Stars snag title.

Byline: Bill Marsh

LEOMINSTER - The Western Mass. state champion Leominster 15-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars, who advanced all the way to the New England Regional semifinals in Farmington, Maine, had a distinct local connection.

Max Ashline and Josh Bahnick, of Clinton, and Cameron Ruziak, Cody Lanza and Connor Gill, of Sterling, were all members of the squad.

After a successful season on the Sterling entry in the Leominster Babe Ruth League, the five players were selected to the 15-year-old all-star team.

After winning the District competition, Leominster hosted the annual state tournament at McLaughlin Park. In the double-elimination tournament, the Leominster All-Stars advanced to the finals against a tough Pittsfield team.

Down 5-3 in the home half of the sixth inning, Leominster rallied for four runs to capture the state title, 7-6.

Ashline had a key single in the title tilt. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, he drove in the tying run to make it 5-5. A Pittsfield error led to two more runs and the eventual victory.

After dropping the opening game to Manchester, N.H., in the New England Regional eight-team double-elimination tournament at Hippach Field in Farmington, Leominster was forced into the loser's bracket.

With victories over Apple Valley (Maine) and Vermont, which kept the local team alive, the Leominster all-stars faced Eastern Mass. champion Braintree in the tournament semifinals.

Unfortunately for Leominster, Braintree ended its season with an 8-6 victory.

In the 7-6 victory over Apple Valley, Ruziak and Brett Corliss led the way with three hits each. Bahnick and Gill pitched well in relief, with Gill earning the save.

"The kids, for the most part, jelled as a team," Leominster 15-year-old Babe Ruth all-star manager Wayne Corliss said. "They understood why coaches made certain decisions.

"We (the coaches) showed them the road, and they did the work," he said. "Against the top eight teams in New England, the kids played well.

"We had two great wins and the kids didn't get down,"...