On July 13, 2008, the Mercer Island 11U Little All Stars finished their District 9 tournament run, placing 2nd and losing to the defending state champions from Eastlake Sammamish.

The team’s run for the championship began on July 6th, when they beat the Issaquah All Stars by a score of 9 – 1.  Sharing time on the pitcher’s mound, Brandon Lawler and Alex Bell combined to shut down the Issaquah team by not allowing a single earned run. 

Two days later, the 11U All Stars matched up against the Bellevue Thunderbird All Star team, winning by a score of 6 - 0.  Mercer Island played a relentless style of defense led on the mound by pitchers Max Hibbert and Nick Taylor.  Steven Woolston and Teddy Van der Velden each scored two runs for Mercer Island.

Mercer Island lost their first game on July 10th, matching up against the Eastlake All Stars, learning early what it was like to play last year’s state champions.  Falling behind 7 -1 after two innings, Mercer Island scored four runs in the third inning and suddenly it was a 7-5 ball game.  The Eastlake secured a win by scoring three runs in the fourth inning and one in the sixth inning, ending the game with a final score of 11-5. 

On July 12th Mercer Island played against Bellevue West and won by a score of 7 – 0.  Aidan Plummer threw a complete game shut out, completely baffling the Bellevue West All Stars and getting his team out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning by fielding a grounder on the mound and tagging the runner heading towards home plate.  Alex Bell was masterful at shortstop, making incredible plays look easy, highlighted by a double play to end the second inning.  Carl Bell jacked a triple off the centerfield fence rail, driving in Brandon Lawler.

This win against Bellevue West resulted in a rematch against Eastlake on July 13th.  Mercer Island came ready to play, and quickly jumped out to a 1 – 0 lead when Nick Taylor crushed a home run over the left field fence.  Starting pitcher Max Hibbert, supported by a stellar defense, quieted the Eastlake offense and the score was 1 -1 going into the top of the fourth inning.  Peter Allenbaugh started the inning with a walk, and then came around to score after a triple to the right field fence by Steven Woolston.  Nick Taylor drove in Steven Woolston and Mercer Island was leading in a 3 -1 game.  Eastlake then came back, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth inning, resulting in an Eastlake win with a final score of 5-3.  Great pitching by Max Hibbert, solid play at shortstop by Alex Bell, and ground rule doubles by both Aidan Plummer and Carl Bell were additional game highlights.

Team manager Earl Bell and coach Jim Hibbert were very happy for the 11U All Star Team, which placed 2nd in a very tough District tournament, bettering their 3rd place finish in 2007 as the 10U All Star team.    When asked to characterize this team, Bell commented that he was most proud of team chemistry and each player’s ability to contribute towards their team’s 2nd place finish.  He points to Derek Sims, who had the teams’ third highest batting average, Peter Williams’ exceptional play at third base, Nelson Hayes making a clutch catch in right field against Eastlake, and Peter Allenbaugh’s ability to consistently get on base when batting as examples of why the Mercer Island team had such a successful tournament run.   Bell concluded by stating “everyone on this team played an important role and most importantly had fun during this tournament.” 
 
 

Saturday, July 12
Aidan Plummer throws CG shutout to beat Bellevue West 7-0 

Aidan Plummer needed just 76 pitches to finish a complete game shutout against Bellevue West and propel the MI 11 year olds to a re-match with Eastlake for the District 9 championship.   

The 11s play defending district and state champs Eastlake at noon on Sunday at Hartman Park in Redmond and if (WHEN!) they win, they will play again on Monday at 6pm. 

Tuesday, July 8
11Us shutout Thunderbird 6-0 to advance to winners bracket final  

The 11U All Stars played Bellevue Thunderbird tonight at Hartman Park in Redmond, winning 6-0.  It was a great team effort! 

MI began the game with a triple by Steven Woolston, who blasted a shot down the right field line.  Aidan Plummer was the big producer at bat tonight, with 4 RBI's.  Brandon Lawler had a double. 

Max Hibbert and Nick Taylor each pitched three innings of shutout baseball.

They were supported by a solid defense, highlighted by a 1-5-6 double play (Nick Taylor to Teddy Van Der Velden to Alex Bell).  Alex Bell was flawless at shortstop.

The 11U's played a relentless style of baseball - scoring in five innings and executing near flawless defense - keeping Thunderbird from scoring throughout the entire game!

On Thursday, the 11U team will play Eastlake, the defending state champions and only other undefeated team in the tournament.  The boys will be ready and anxious to "show their stuff" against a great team!