By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

First inning fireworks fueled the tank for a Pac West 11-1, four-inning victory against previously unbeaten West Seattle in the District VII Little League baseball 10-11 age All-Star baseball tournament held at the Pac West complex in SeaTac on Tues., July 1. By avenging a first round loss to the West Siders, Pac West forced a provisional championship face off on Wed., July 2, at the same location.

"We just hit the ball well," said Pac West manager Mitch Stone. "West Seattle had an off day. When we played them the first time, we gave them six runs in the first inning. I think we definitely have the momentum, now. Our pitching is in good shape."

In the first inning it was great hitting mixed in with some WS fielding mistakes that earned the SeaTac crew enough runs to eventually close out the game on the 10-run mercy rule. In the 90 degree heat, PW heated up the base paths. Ryan Leahy reached first base on an infield single and scored on the next sequence of action when Jacob Sagmoen singled with the outfielder misplaying the ball for a two-base error. Zeek Pestana drew a base on balls to bring up Michael Snyder who swung smoothly with perfect contact for a three-run homer well over the left field fence to make the score 4-0. The heavenly feeling for Pac West and the over riding nightmare for West Seattle continued with Pac West notching four additional runs with hits and walks including a three-run outfield error that made the score 9-0. Snyder batted for the second time in the inning and drove the ball deep and long over the center field fence for a two-run shot to close out the 11-run barrage that eventually was enough to close out proceedings early.

West Seattle scored in the second inning after Reese McAllister led off with a double. Jacoby Lanscov walked ahead of a wild pitch that advanced each runner one base. Then, Spencer Burgess grounded out to shortstop to score what would become the West Sider's only tally for the duration of the game. West Seattle was unable to create less than a 10-run differential.

"I didn't know the first one was a home run until the coaches told me," said Snyder. "On both hits, I couldn't even feel the bat (vibrate)."
Alex Lucero pitched above and beyond for a complete game three-hitter to augment the first inning bombardment.