The big hits just kept coming for the Kent Little League Major All-Stars during the first three rounds of the District 10 tournament, which began last Saturday at GSA Park in Auburn.
The Kent stars racked up 29 hits and eight home runs in its first two wins, the first a 10-0 thrashing of Fife-Milton on Saturday and the second an 11-4 thumping of Soundview on Sunday.
“We do have some good hitters,” said coach Scott McGuire. “The bottom of the lineup hits pretty well. Really, I could flip my order over.”
The two wins helped Kent advance to the Tuesday night’s semifinal against Steel Lake of Federal Way.
The Kent stars took care of business against Steel Lake, working over the Federal Way team 5-2 behind a golden pitching performance by Jaylen Eichler. Eichler went the distance on the mound, striking out nine and allowing just three hits.
Ben Wadowski, who enjoyed a massive three-game run, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. However, the key hit of the game came off the bat of Grant Stockman, whose RBI double gave Kent a 3-1 lead it would not relinquish.
The win helps Kent advance to the title game, which is slated for 6 p.m. Friday night against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
During the three-game winning streak, virtually everyone on the roster got into the act.
In Saturday’s shutout of Fife-Milton, Wadowski led the offensive assault, going 3-for-3 with a pair of home runs and a single. Christian Palaita, Bennett Harrison and Eichler also homered for Kent. In addition to connecting for a home run, Eichler also picked up the win on the mound, working four no-hit innings and striking out five. Eichler walked just one and hit a batter.
The beat continued for Kent Sunday morning with its win over Soundview. This time, it was Shane McGuire’s turn to deliver the thunder. McGuire went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. He also worked three innings on the mound to earn the victory.
McGuire was aided on the mound by Wadowski, who struck out seven of eight batters, and Jake Anderson, who closed out the win. Palaita chipped in a pair of hits, including his second home run in as many games, while Travis Hansen went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles.
Kent trailed 4-2 in the third inning when Palaita tied the game with a two-run homer to left-center.
“It was a shot,” McGuire said. “It went into the road.”
Moments later, Cody Faulkner singled home Noah Holmes and Harrison, giving Kent a 6-4 lead, an advantage the team would not relinquish.
The winner of the eight-team tournament advances to state, which will be held in Fort Vancouver on July 23-24.
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