July 30, 2010, 12:15 p.m.

  The Greater Canton Youth Baseball Softball Assocation crowned a pair of 18U champions Thursday  night in games played at Canton High School and Plymouth Christian Academy.

  The Rockies captured the National League title by edging Belleville Black, 4-1, in a well-played game at Canton. Rockies pitcher Chris Clardy was dominant against Belleville, yielding just a single run in the second inning.

  The winners scored three early runs before adding an insurance marker in the sixth when Chris White singled, stole second and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

  Like Clardy, Belleville pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick was solid throughout. The strong-armed righty struck out the side in the fifth.

  In the American League 18U title game, the Eagles nipped the Livonia Hawks, 1-0, in a pitchers' duel held at PCA.

  Teams from Canton, Livonia, Belleville and Saline made up the 16-team 18U league this season. The teams were divided into two competitive leagues.

  The 18U season will be capped on Saturday when 54 players will compete in an All-Star game at Oestrike Stadium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Rockies coach Joe Bottorff greets his team after they set down Belleville 1-2-3 in the fourth inning. (Ed Wright photo)

Belleville Black starting pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick threw a strong game. (Ed Wright photo)

The Rockies' middle infielders settle under a high pop fly. (Ed Wright photo)

The Rockies' shortstop throws a runner out in the third inning. (Ed Wright photo)

This Rockie swing produced a hard-hit single to center. (Ed Wright photo)