By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka Little League Majors Softball All-Stars (ages 10-12) dropped their opening game in the West Region Tournament at San Bernardino, California, Saturday, falling to Northern California’s Olivehurst Linda LL 10-1.
“A tough loss,” Sitka manager Mike Callahan said. “Down here at the big show, a little bit of nerves could have contributed to this one but it’s just game one.”
The loss puts Sitka in an elimination game today against Nevada (Summerlin South LL), a 13-4 loser to Arizona (Cactus Foothills LL).
“I think we got an idea of how these things work down here and we’ll be ready for the next one,” Callahan said. “We just love being here. The whole experience. And just for the fact that these young ladies are carving their spot in Sitka softball. As a learning tool every game teaches you something one way or another. Just a little housekeeping and tighten a couple strings up and we’ll jump back on this horse.”
Sitka’s lone run against Northern California came in the bottom of the third inning while trailing 4-0.
Adriana Denkinger stood in the batters box with a full count and hit a fly ball triple to right field.
Mecca Goldsberry put the second pitch she saw into right field as well, to bring Denkinger home.
Sitka struggled to get runners on and around the bases.
Tessa Anderson led off the bottom of the first with a walk but was forced out and then the side retired.
Northern California pitcher Hallie Prather struck out the Sitka side in the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the fourth Dalila Callahan led off with a bunt single but was caught on a steal attempt and then the side was retired.
Prather struck out the first two Sitka batters in the bottom of the fifth and then pitched a ground ball out.
In the bottom of the sixth the Sitka bats all made contact but the hard hits by Anderson, Balovich and Nai’a Nelson went directly to the opposition for put-outs.
Kaiya Balovich took the loss in 5 innings (80 P, 15 H, 10 R, 2 SO) and Callahan relieved (1 IP, 24 P, 1 SO, 2 BB).
Northern California’s Prather went 4 innings, using 69 pitches, allowing 3 hits and 1 run, and striking out 8 while walking 1. Ashlynn Wheeler relieved (2 IP, 18 P, 2 SO).
Prather led Northern California with 4 hits; Wheeler and Prather had 2 RBI apiece; Wheeler and Alauna Kelly scored 2 runs apiece.
West Region Tournament Scores:
Saturday - Southern California 17 Idaho 0; Northern California 10 Alaska 1; Arizona 2 Montana 0; Utah 14 Wyoming 0.
Sunday - Oregon 4 Northern California 1; Washington 3 Southern California 1; Hawaii 7 Utah 0; Arizona 13 Nevada 4.
Monday (elimination games) - GM9 Idaho vs. Utah; GM10 Alaska vs. Nevada; GM11 Montana vs. Northern California; GM12 Wyoming vs. Southern California.
Tuesday - (elimination games) GM13, Winners GM10vs11; GM14, Winners GM9vs12; (winners bracket) GM15 Washington vs. Hawaii; GM 16 Oregon vs. Arizona.
Wednesday - (elimination games) GM17, GM13 winner vs. GM16 loser; GM18, GM14 winner vs. GM 15 loser.
Thursday - GM19, winners GM16-17; GM20, winners GM15-18.
Friday - Final, GM21, winners GM19-20.
