They won a district title. A state crown, too.
The Kent/Chinook Little League Senior All-Star team was unable to add a third championship to its resume, but came home from the Western Regional tournament in Ontario, Calif., with plenty to be pleased about.
A year after winning its way to the 10-team tournament, but coming up empty in the win column, Kent/Chinook returned to historic Jay Littleton Ballpark and won two of its four games, which resulted in a solid fifth-place showing for the local stars.
“It was huge to come down and get some wins,” said coach Kirk Davis. “That was the whole point … to come down, play better (than last year), and compete. Last year, it was eye-opening to see the talent.”
The tournament included teams from Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Hawaii and Oregon. Kent/Chinook was Washington’s lone representative.
The Kent/Chinook stars, a team comprised primarily of 16 year olds from Kent, Covington, Enumclaw and Buckley, started slow — in part due to hectic travel plans — but finished strong. Just hours after getting off the plane in California on Aug. 2, Kent/Chinook was suited up for its first game against host Chino Hills. A 1-0 lead turned into a 4-1 deficit by the fifth inning en route to a 9-2 opening loss.
The combination of travel and the triple-digit temperatures played a part, Davis said.
“We came in the day after opening ceremonies, we were delayed at the airport, and it’s 100 degrees out,” Davis said. “We told ’em, ‘Grab your batbags, let’s go.'”
Kent/Chinook fell to Southern California 7-1 on Aug. 5, its second game of the tournament.
It all, however, came together for the local stars Aug. 6, when the bats came alive in a 12-3 thumping of Oregon. Kent/Chinook erupted with a five-run first inning and led from start-to-finish.
David Prince doubled to lead off the game and was promptly singled home by Jared Mackie, giving Kent/Chinook an immediate 1-0 lead. Matt Nutting followed with a two-run homer to left field, a blast that went high off the netting at Jay Littleton Ballpark.
“A home run there is pretty dramatic,” Davis said.
Everyone on the roster got involved in the win. Prince went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and picked up the win on the mound as he worked into the sixth inning. Mackie collected a pair of hits, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Sam Burtis chipped in three hits, including two runs scored and two RBIs. Garrett Robertson added two hits and a run scored while Ricky Davis chipped in two RBIs and a run scored.
“They really had a game,” Davis said. “When they’re on offensively, they’re on.”
The beat continued as Kent/Chinook wrapped up the tournament Sunday, Aug. 7 with a 5-3 victory over Arizona. John Benson picked up the win on the mound, going five innings, striking out two and walking two.
“He really pitched well, and used his defense, which was solid the entire tournament,” Davis said.
Burtis gave Kent/Chinook an immediate lead, singling home Mackie in the first inning. Kent/Chinook added on to its lead in the second inning, when Colby Thompson scored on a passed ball, giving the local stars a 2-0 advantage.
With Benson in command on the mound, Kent/Chinook continued to add to its lead at the plate. Nutting led off the third inning with a triple and later scored on an Arizona error, pushing Kent/Chinook’s lead to 3-0. Mike Mazzitelli chipped in an RBI single in the third, giving Kent/Chinook a 4-0 lead.
The tournament marked the end of the Little League road for all but one player on the Kent/Chinook roster.
“This is it for Little League for most of them,” Davis acknowledged. “I’ve known a lot of these kids since they were young. I’ve seen a lot of them grow up. It’s hard to say goodbye. But (the two wins) was a great way for them to end.
“It was a great trip.”
MEET THE STARS: Jared Mackie. Steve Hunt, Ricky Davis. Mike Mazzitelli, Sam Burtis, Matt Nutting, Harley Wood, Austin Sisley, Riley Baker, Garrett Robertson, Danny Fabris, Colby Thompson, Michael Hanek, David Prince, John Benson, Manager Kirk Davis, Coach Tim Mazzitelli, Coach Jeff Fabris.
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