The CLCF-CWLL softball team’s surge continued on Monday afternoon when it picked up a 3-0 shutout win over West Region Champion, Willcox, Arizona in the opening round of the Little League World Series in Greenville, N.C.

“It was a big win considering our opponent was coming off a big win against Mid-Atlantic. They were a tough opponent. We knew that we’d need to play near-perfect. We made a game plan and they executed it perfectly,” said CLCF-CWLL manager Lalo Marcano.

Lawson Bastia would start the second inning by reaching first base on a single and Olivia Graziano went on to knock her in to put Cranston on the board. The New England champs added to their lead in the third inning when Lylah Riley drove in Laila Murphy, and then Murphy would later score on a throwing error to make it 3-0.

Cranston pitcher Isabella Marcano was dominant in the circle once again and got the complete game win. Isabella Marcano escaped a jam in the second inning when Arizona had a runner on third with no outs by forcing two pop fly outs and then closing out the frame with a strikeout.

“She’s good in pressure situations, she’s always been good in those games. She’s always up to the challenge,” said Lalo Marcano of his pitcher.

Cranston’s defense was sharp as well and also ended a big Arizona threat, this time in the fifth inning. Arizona managed to load the bases with just one out, but Cranston centerfielder Annabella Olobri would snag a fly ball and toss it to second base to force a double play, as Arizona’s baserunner failed to tag up.

“It was great and it is a good thing to see that everyone is involved in the game. That play specifically turned around the game. Bases loaded, one out, that double-play turned things around. We killed the rally,” Lalo Marcano said.

Isabella Marcano finished the afternoon allowing no runs on just three hits while striking out three batters.

Cranston will next be in action on Thursday afternoon, when it is slated to take on North Carolina after it rolled past the Europe-Africa champs 16-0 on Tuesday morning. Should Cranston get the win on Thursday, it would advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the winner earning a spot in the championship game which is slated for Sunday.

“We’re facing the host team, so we’re expecting a lot of people from the home town. Our girls are good under pressure and we expect them to come out and compete,” Lalo Marcano said.

The remainder of the tournament will remain broadcasted on ESPN+.