GLADSTONE — The Croswell-Lexington Minor Girls’ Little League All-Stars (age 8-10) reaped the benefits of a solid pitching performance and small ball, earning the state title in a 5-1 triumph over Kalamazoo West Portage.

Olivia Young fired a one-hitter, and C-L executed three bunt singles in the first two innings.

“Olivia walked a few betters through the tournament, but she pitched real well today,” said C-L manager Scott Young. “She pitched much better than in the rest of the tournament. We also had nine other kids playing behind her. I think bunting is a big part of the game. It’s good to put people to the test.

“We have some fast kids. We did the same thing in 2007 when our minor girls took the state title. Their pitcher a great change-up, but we were able to get enough runners on base and overcame some mistakes on the basepaths.”

The C-L major girls (age 11-12) reached the World Series in 2009, and its junior girls (age 13-14) became world champions in 2011.

“I retired after the 2009 season, and my dad and brother coached the juniors in 2011,” said manager Young. “It has been a great run for our family. It’s nice to be able to raise the state championship trophy with my daughter. This is really special.”

Olivia Young struck out 10 and walked one.

“Their pitcher threw a great game,” said West Portage manager Dave Jewell. “She’s a great player. I’m proud of the fight in our girls. They fought every step of the way. We had great games with Escanaba and Gladstone leading into this game. To be state runners-up is really special. We were glad to have the opportunity to play for the state title.”

All the scoring was done in the first two frames, with C-L gaining a 3-0 lead on an RBI single by Taylor Westendorf in the first.

West Portage, taking advantage of two miscues, got on the board in its half of the first.

C-L concluded the scoring on Cora McGarvie’s two-run single to centerfield in the second.

Tessa Jewell also went the distance and absorbed the loss. She fanned nine, walked none and allowed 10 hits.

Olivia Young, Kinsley Westendorf and Gray Shaw had two hits apiece for C-L, which collected half of its hits in the opening frame.

C-L stranded six, and West Portage was limited to four baserunners in the contest.

“We did our best,” said manager Jewell. “We battled them for six innings. We just couldn’t get enough people on base today.”