The South Highline National Marlins found out a couple great defensive plays and a grand slam could most change a game, as they lost a close one, 7-5, to the Renton Cardinals in the District 7 Tournament Of Champions final at Normandy Park Monday, June 16.

"They had a better defense," said Armond Swanson II, the manager of the Marlins.

The Cardinals made one error in the first inning, by the left fielder, who in the end made the play of the day. Also, a big hit came early on.

"The grand slam really changed the game," said Brandon Harshman, the Marlin's leadoff hitter, "b-rabbit" as his coach called him going up to get his second place award after the game.

Ironically, too, it was Harshman who had the almost hit late.

In the beginning is where this begins, however, as the Marlins and Cardinals put up a zero on the scoreboard in the top and bottom halves of the first inning. Then came the second and it was a better second for the Cardinals than the Marlins.

Starting off, it was a couple walks and then an errant throw off line from shortstop to third base on a hit trying to get the lead runner. That allowed that runner on third to go home and make it 1-0, Cardinals. Then, another single loaded the bases before the next Cardinals hitter smashed the ball by the center fielder to the fence and that runner was fast, like Harshman, but on the other team. He motored all the way around the bases and home for an inside the park home run that made it 5-0 Cardinals.

Then the Marlins' turn up came and they too could show they had a bit of fight in them. They scored two runs, one after Jared Thurber singled and then scored stealing the bases. Then, after a walk, it was Harshman who smashed an RBI double to cut the lead to 5-2, Cardinals.

The Cardinals scored another two in their half of the third to make it 7-2. Then the Marlins came back again and scored two more, 7-4.

"They never quit," said Swanson II, speaking of his Marlins players. "That's how they got here."

They almost got the "W" in the top of the sixth as Chaz Bergseth III walked and Ben Malmanger followed up with an RBI double, making it 7-5. But, after Patrick Swett drew a walk and Cody Parke reached base on a third base fielding error, it was supposed to be high time to win this one via one b-rabbit, also known as Brandon Harshman. But he did whack the ball into left field, tailing away, looping what looked like a destination of grass before mitt would get to it. But the Renton kid snow-cone caught it with one hand, slicing at the ball as it went toward the ground.

"When I hit it to left field he made a great catch," said Harshman.

It was a great defensive play for Renton. It saved their game and made them champs, likely, this season. They were the home team so they did still have the home half to bat.

It's a good guess to say that Jared Thurber, who came on in relief of starter Nick DaDalto, would have got them out. He pitched well for two innings allowing no runs and one hit.

DaDalto pitched pretty well out there, too. He was in there to start against a good hitting Renton lineup.

"Nate pitched his heart out. We couldn't have asked for anything more," said Swanson III. "He was hitting mitt. Jared came in and did good pitching, too."

The difference was?

They had great defense and made that nice play at the end in left field," said Swanson II.

It was a good season for this team of youngsters, age 9 and 10.

"We had a lot of fun after games, running around and playing mitt tag," said the Marlins first pitcher of the game, Nick DaDalto. "I gave them (Renton) credit for hitting the ball and I did throw a lot of walks."

South Highline American minors are: Brandon Harshman, Jared Thurber, Paul Schumacher, Nate DaDalto, Armond Swanson III, Chaz Bergseth III, Ben Malmanger, Patrict Swett, Alec Burke, Cody Parke, Ryan LaFrambois and Mike Fanning.

Coaches are Doug Thurber and Aaron LaFrambois.