Pac West players anticipate the beginning of action against South Highline National.
Early fireworks enabled South Highline National to sizzle in a 16-3 championship round game victory against Pac West in the 2011 Washington State District 7 Little League baseball 9-10 age All-Star tournament.
Avoiding the conditional championship game by remaining unbeaten, National earned the right to play in the state tournament scheduled for opening on July 16 against District 8 in a 3 p.m. game at Redmond's Hartman Park.
"It was great to start off that way," said National manager Tim Fenster. "It really made a difference. Everyone's eyes got bigger and everyone was positive. Ryan Bigelow cleared the bases in the first inning and had two runs batted in during the second inning."
The Normandy Park aggregation quickly dropped Pac West into a deep pit with seven runs scored in the top of the first inning on its way to the dominating win.
Opening walks to Teddy Covich and Trevor Morine set Christopher Mills to the plate. With the count 1-1, Mills pulled a pitch high and deep over the left field fence, sending South Highline into a 3-0 lead. SHN kept working to pour four additional runs across the plate.
Another big run outburst in the second inning featured 10 players sent to the plate and an additional six-run outburst.
Pac West dented the scoreboard in the top of the third inning with two outs beginning with an Ethan Weets walk. John Kemp delivered a run-scoring triple before scoring on Josh Enciso's single.
Back came National for a three-run third inning to drive ahead further at 16-2.
In the top of the fourth, Pac West managed a lone tally, but fell short of the necessary runs to extend the game due to the 10-run mercy rule.
"I'm really glad we all came together," said Pac West catcher Joseph Allred. "We couldn't have gotten this far without our coaches who helped us. I was always comfortable behind the plate."
Bigelow was also thankful.
"Our coaches supported us and I had fun doing my best," he said.
For Pac West, which won a 3-1 game on Friday's loser-out match up against West Seattle, it was still an excellent tournament.
"You have to tip your hats to National," PW manager Paul Kemp stated. "They came to play. I'm proud of our young kids. We really wanted it for them, but they got experience and will be ready for more."
District 7 champion South Highline National's player roster includes Teddy Covich, Trevor Morine, Christopher Mills, Jack Fenster, Tyler Kilstrom, Joseph Allred, Joel Willot, Jace Pigg, Ryan Bigelow, Paolo Colello and Zane Thornton.
Assisting manager Fenster are coaches Rick Morine and Chad Allred.
Cammie Pekonen is the league president while Will Stedman presides as District Administrator.
Pac West players are Noah Gordon, John Kemp, Josh Enciso, Larry Siler, Mark KcClean, Adrian Brown, Dylan Shaw, Timmy Brodigan, Carden Sedettan, Kayla Siler, Ethan Weeks and Blaine Patten.
Coaches Steve McClean and Roger Patten assist manager Kemp.
Mitch Stone serves as league president.