The MI 9-10 All-stars gave up 5 run in the first (multiple errors) and three in the second (same story) necessitating two pitching changes (a few walks in there for each as well).  Noah Hsue took the mound in the 2nd with one out and bases loaded, striking out the first batter and getting the next to ground out to Scott at 3rd.  MI scored 1 in the first (second run called back for baserunner leaving early from second), none in the second.  Score 8-1 after 2.

Noah threw scoreless relief in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings (with great defense at short by Kenny- all 3 putouts in 3rd - big momentum shift), good team defense in 4th and 5th (Scott, Johnny, Eric, Devon, Justin all involved in some putouts).  MI scored 2 in the third with singles by Devon Hayes and Scott then a clutch pinch hit double by Luke Boksem (2 RBI), another big momentum shift.  We were scoreless in the 4th, which ended 8-3. 

In the 5th, Spencer got a single, Eric drew a walk, and Kenny got an infield single. Noah hit into a 1-2 FC (on a VERY questionable call at home). Then Drew and Johnny hit ground balls the defense couldn't handle (errors, as they were thrown away at 2nd both times) and we scored 3 - score now 8-6. 

In the 6th, Noah got an easy fly ball out, then another error allowed a runner at first, and then a fielders choice left two out.  The next batter got the only ball to leave the infield, a hit to LC.  Noah walked the next batter to load them up and then reached out too far to his right for a grounder, deflecting the ball away from short (E1), walked in a second run and then was relieved by Devon who walked in one more before getting a groundout to end it. Score now 11-6, with one chance left for MI.

Then in the bottom of the 6th, Scott walked, Spencer was hit by pitch, Eric walked, Kenny walked (RBI).  David Sims then got down 0-2 and fouled off a pitch before getting a BIG hit to LC for 2 RBI.  Noah followed with another BIG hit to RC, over the head of CF to knock in another run.  Drew singled to short - so hard he couldn't pick it up to throw (recorded as hit/RBI) - to tie the game at 11-11.  Johnny then singled up the middle to score Noah to seal a dramatic 12-11 win!

The 9-10s play next at 9am on Saturday in the winner's brack finals vs. Redmond West, at RW's home field, Hartman Park in Redmond.  Tournament Bracket

In Game 2 against the Sammamish–Americans it was much closer game at the finish than the score shows.  In the first inning the MI All-Stars held SA to scoreless inning with the pitching of Luke Boksem.  At the bottom of the first inning the MI All-Stars scored 4 runs.  Noah Hsue, Johnny Van der Velden, Devon Hayes, and Spencer Fuhr all reached base safely.  Noah scored when Spencer was walked. With two outs, Eric Dreyer hit a single to right scoring two runs.  On the same play, Spencer scored on error. The SA’s came back in the second inning scoring 4 runs of their own, but MI All-Stars went ahead 6-4 at the bottom of the second.  The score remained the same through the fourth inning with good pitching by Kenny Koning and tough defense including a couple of hard line shots caught by Scott Ramseyer at second base, one of which resulted in a double play as he fired the ball to David Sims at first, catching the runner off base.  In the 5^th Inning, the MI All-Stars played some small ball and scored 4 runs to go ahead 10-5.   Drew Christofferson closed out the last two innings backed up by defensive heads up plays to get lead runners out, picking runners off attempting to steal on passed balls, and a double play by Luke Boksem.  Luke fielded a hot grounder with bases loaded, touched third and fired home to Johnny Van der Velden for a put out at the plate.  With bases loaded, the final out was a high-fly ball caught by Eric Dreyer.  It was a thrilling and deserving win by our 9-10 All-Stars team. 

Mercer Island will face Bellevue Thunderbird on Wednesday night at 6 pm at Hartman Park in Redmond.  The winner of this game will advance to the finals of the winner's bracket on Saturday, July 11^th at 9 am.

Tournament Bracket

The 10-11 BB All-Star team is off to a great start in the 2009 District 9 tournament, winning its first 2 games by a cumulative score of 31-12.  On Saturday, July 4th, Mercer Island opened up play vs. Bellevue West and delivered a convincing 12-2 victory in 5 innings behind the strong pitching of Andrew Pickles.  Andrew was supported by several excellent defensive plays in the field by Brenden Yan, Peter Lopes, Eric Kim, and Jackson Caputo.  Every player reached base, and the team hit .400 while drawing 10 walks.

On Sunday, Mercer Island faced the All Stars from Redmond North.  The team from Redmond was fired up to play the defending state champions, but they couldn’t slow down the MI offense and lost by a 19-10 margin.  Nathan Gallatin and Michael Petrie combined on the mound to contain the strong Redmond North offense.  The pitching benefited greatly from 4 double plays in 6 innings, including a web gem from Cameron Coe in center field.  Brenden Yan continued his hot hitting with 5 RBIs, while Eric Kim and Michael Petrie drove in 3 apiece.  Lucas Chapman, Jackson Caputo, and Sam Nordale delivered clutch hits as well.  For the game, the team .457 with 16 hits and drew another 8 walks.

Mercer Island will face Snoqualmie Valley on Wednesday night at 6 pm on Dodd Field in Issaquah.  The winner of this game will advance to the finals of the winner’s bracket on Saturday, July 11th at 10 am.  All Mercer Island fans are invited to come support the team on its journey through the District 9 All Star tournament!