9-10 Tournament of Champions

Out in Elma District III Little League is running their Tournament of Champions for the 9-10 year old ball players.

All-Star Little League teams representing towns like Elma, Montesano, Larch Mountain, Aberdeen, Centralia, South Beach, Capitol, Chehalis and Willapa Harbor joined in the tournament that started on June 26.

The tournament, a double game elimination bracket, limited to three run innings, except the final inning which is open for run count, keeps the games close and spirited.

The young men taking the field are ready and eager to stop the opposing team and take their turn at bat to blast one past the infield and hope for that extra base hit.

On opening day of the 9-10 tournament played in Elma (the 11-12 year old teams traveled to Tenino), Larch Mountain defeated the boys of Aberdeen 8-5 and Elma took a single run win over Willapa Harbor 4-3. The losers of each game slip back in the bracket but are not out as the winners advance to meet their next opponent the following day.

Centralia slipped past South Beach in seven innings 13-12 in the early game on June 27, Montesano almost doubled up Capitol 9-5, Elma bounced all over Chehalis 12-3 and Willapa Harbor ousted Aberdeen 9-6 in the first loser out game of the tournament.

On Sunday another four games were set as Larch Mountain gave Centralia their first loss 13-7, Elma continued to win peppering Montesano in five innings 12-2, Capitol dropped Chehalis out of the running 15-13 and Willapa Harbor stayed alive toppling South Beach 9-1.

With three teams eliminated in as many days, Monday looked to see who would rise to the top and face off for that Championship game.

Striking out to make sure they are still able to continue four teams played a pair of loser out matches with Willapa Harbor hosting Montesano and Centralia against Chehalis.

The second game C v C was a close contest with Centralia edging out Chehalis 14 - 13 advancing for another game against the winner of the early game between Montesano and Willapa Harbor.

Willapa Harbor v. Montesano

By the second inning it looked like the All-Stars of Willapa Harbor was having an easy game with those Montesano Little Leaguers holding a five run lead and positioned as the home team. But Montesano would not quit yet as in the third inning they got on the board when Skyler Bovee ripped one past the infield, gave his team a pair of RBI's but was a little to eager as the Harbor team threw him out at second. Willapa Harbor closed out the inning stranding Dante Hamblin who burning up the base lines, stole second but was caught at his attempt at taking third.

Montesano went with Tristen Herring on the mound to face the next group of Harbor batters. Kaden Ritzman started the Harbor bats with a single and stole the next two bases on pass balls. Garrett Keeton was given credit for brining inn Ritzman with his base hit, but Herring was able to cool the Willapa bats with a couple of strike outs and a pop out to end the inning.

Montesano was ready for their turn and took three runs in the fourth with only one out. They almost evened the score 6-5 and held the boys from the Harbor scoreless during their next at bats.

Willapa returned the favor to Montesano during the top of the fifth leaving one runner on, but no one past home plate. And with Willapa still to stand for strikes, they took their share of the three run rule and distanced the game 9-5. It was the quick thinking of the boys who got on base to watch for that opportunity for free advancement and steal the open bases that positioned them for scoring when Gavin Hampton brought in both Ritzman and Kolton Fluke who were itching and scratching to get home. The inning was turned over after Hampton stole home taking Willapa Harbor's third run of the inning.

Montesano was in a due or die situation and came into the batters box ready to face Harbor's relief pitcher Derek Fluke. Fluke walked his first batter and saw on hot get past him. With two aboard, the boys of Montesano were ready to strike but hit into a pair of fielders choices, which eliminated the lead runners. One more hitter tried to rally the Montesano team but hit it straight back to Fluke who found his first baseman, Ritzman, ready to receive the final out of the game.

The win pushed Willapa Harbor into the game against Centralia and another loser out situation and the loss took Montesano out of the tournament.

Games continued on Tuesday with Elma facing Larch Mountain and Willapa Harbor up against Centralia.