The chronicles of the hard-working West Seattle All-Stars in 2009 state Little League Majors (ages 11-12) tournament action came to an abrupt and disappointing conclusion last Thursday at the cozy confines of Art Mikelsen Field in a 12-11 loser-out setback at the hands of District 8 titleist Richmond.

Trailing 12-11 in the top of the sixth inning, the battling West Siders mounted a thrilling charge with two outs. Kevin Simmons was on first after a fielder's choice ground out before a hard-hit ground ball from the bat of Cody Jones bounced off the umpire, creating a runners on first and third situation.

Griffin Bills then rocketed a grounder to the right side that would have gone through to score the deadlocking run if the ball had not spun into the runner going from first to second base. As an interference third out, the run was called off due to the end of the game.

After suffering a no-hit, shut out loss to Pasco on Wednesday, West Seattle quickly went to war against Richmond in the top of the first inning. Izac Bauer worked a two-out walk and advanced to second base on an ensuing wild pitch to position himself for Marco Calderon's RBI single. Cameron Slader followed with a powerfully pounded two-run homer that sent West Seattle into a 3-0 lead.

"The second pitch was over the plate, so I just took a whack at it," he stated. "I thought it was a pop up and it just flew out."

Richmond reversed the leading roles in its first inning at bat on an Andy Foltz grand slam home run.

Undaunted, the West Siders went on a second inning rampage. David Meehan's chip shot double tied the score at 4-4. Bauer's one-bounce double off the left field fence forged a 5-4 West Seattle lead. Calderon then clocked a fly ball that barely cleared the left field fence for a three-run homer to extend the West Seattle margin to 8-4.

In the home half of the panel, Richmond retaliated with a single tally while stranding two runners on base.

Next came the terrible third inning for the West Siders. Two fielding errors by West Seattle and four Richmond hits turned the struggle toward District 8 in a six-run salvo as Richmond took command at 11-8.

Mustering up an iron resolve, the West Siders charged back into contention in the fourth inning. Meehan reached first base on an infield error. One out later, Calderon came up to clobber a two-run homer and suddenly, District 7 West Seattle drew within 11-10.

"I'm still concentrating on getting singles," said Calderon who batted a monumental 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI. "It was fun and great to be here. This was my first time to state."

In the top of the fifth inning, McNeil Fulmore lifted a fly ball that just kept sailing until it cleared the left field fence for a home run.

"I kind of got under the ball," he recalled. "It just went high and out. I felt good because I've never gotten this far (to state)."

The 11-11 tie was short-lived as a passed ball in the bottom of the inning put Richmond into it precarious lead that survived the sixth-inning siege.

"We just had that one bad inning," recalled West Seattle manager John Mackenzie. "We came back and played well. It was good in the end. I just hope the kids learn from this that they have a good life and supportive parents. It takes focus to get through six innings and get through life."

District administrator Mike Wydick had some closing thoughts for the West Seattle contingent.

"You're all champions," he said. "You had to win district to get here. It's now how you react and move on from this."

District 7 is represented by players Alex Mackenzie, Cameron Wong, Marco Calderon, Izac Bauer, David Meehan, Cameron Slader, Kevin Simmons, Sam Cook, Alex Coats, Cody Jones, Andre Moore, Griffin Bills and McNeil Fulmore.

Manager John Mackenzie is assisted by coaches Steve Meehan and Troy Fulmore. Harvey Bauer is the league president and Mike Wydick is the district administrator.