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MI All-stars beat Oregon 10-0 in 4 innings in first game at NW Regionals
William Mansfield allowed just one hit and a walk, and needed just 49 pitches to strike out 8 Oregon batters in a 10-0, 4-inning win over Oregon in Mercer Island's first game of the NW regional LL tournament.
Mercer Island opened a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Michael Bantle singled up the middle and then scored on a double over 3rd base by William Mansfield:
Mercer Island added two more in the 3rd on a double by Brandon Lawler, and then broke the game open in the 4th for a mercy rule win, when Sam Pugel and Nick Taylor led off with singles; David Emanuels doubled, scoring Pugel; Josh Stenberg singled, scoring Taylor and Emanuels; Mansfield hit a deep home run to center which scored Michael Bantle; Keegan Ogard walked, and then stole home from 1st on a passed ball and throwing error; and Max Hibbert singled and stole 3rd and home on passed balls for the game-ending run.
Game 1 Highlights:
For the game, Mansfield was 2/3 with 3RBI on a double and a home run; Josh Stenberg was 2/3 with 2 RBI; Brandon Lawler had a double and 2 RBI; Bantle singled and scored twice; Emanuels had a double and RBI; Sam Pugel had a single, a walk and scored a run; and Nick Taylor and Max Hibbert both singled and scored.
Mercer Island plays next on Sunday at 5pm vs. Laramie Little League, Wyoming state champions.
5 Home Runs help MI beat Wyoming 12-0 in 4 innings to improve pool play record to 2-0
Mercer Island, representing Washington State, beat Laramie LL, champions of Wyoming, 12-0 in 4 innings to improve their pool play record to 2-0 in the NW Regional LL tournament. William Mansfield, Brandon Lawler and Max Hibbert all hit home runs with 2 outs in the first inning, followed by back-to-back-to-back singles by Anthony Scalzo, Aidan Plummer and David Emanuels to open up an early 5-0 lead. Lawler's home run, estimated at close to 300 feet, took out a light at the top of the pole in left field. William Mansfield added another deep home run (solor) to center in the 3rd inning, and Nick Taylor added a 3-run blast of his own in the 4th. Sam Pugel hit an RBI double and Max Hibbert an RBI single to wrap up the Islanders scoring.
More game 2 photos by David Ogard
Game 2 highlights:
Keegan Ogard, Brandon Lawler and Max Hibbert pitched for MI, combining for 7 strikeouts, while allowing only one hit.
Mercer Island plays again on Monday, at 12:30pm, against Montana, who is also 2-0, before wrapping up pool play against Idaho on Wednesday at 4:30.
TBirds/MI SB beats Arizona 1-0 to guarantee #1 seed going into semi-finals at LLSB Regionals
The "THin MInts" keep winning!
The combined Bellevue Thunderbird / Mercer Island Majors Softball All Star team has defeated Montana (12-5), Southern California (6-4) and now Arizona (1-0) to go 3-0 in pool play of the Weatern Regionals of the Little League Softball World Series. The THin MInts, as the team is affectionately known, play Idaho on Friday at 1:00pm, but regardless of the outcome of that game, they have locked up the #1 seed and a spot in the Regional semi-finals this weekend. They will play the Northern California from Gilroy LL (3-1 in pool play) in the semi-finals on Saturday at 2:00pm, with the winner advancing to the Regional championship on Sunday at 2:00.
The game against Arizona was a thrilling pitching duel with the lone run coming in the first inning as winning pitcher Kaitlin Sahlinger scored from third after drawing an errant throw from Arizona's catcher. Sahlinger's brilliant pitching was only surpassed by the team's perfect defense as they squelched a bases-loaded, no-out threat in the top of the 6th inning.
The Bellevue/Mercer Island team has reached the final four of the Regional tournament along with Alaska, Southern California and Northern California. The winner of the Regionals will go on to the Little League World Series representing the West in the annual tournament for 12 year olds to be played Aug. 13-19 at Alpenrose, near Portland, OR.
Mercer Island All-stars introduced at NW Regional Opening Ceremonies
Video of team's introduction:
