(Marana, AZ) It was a 97 degree day at 10:30 a.m. when Game 2 began at Arthur Pack Park for the Western Regionals between Marana and Washington.
The starting pitcher for Marana was Cadence Beck and Washington started Grace Shiotani.
The Washington All Stars, members of the Magnolia Little League in Seattle got off to a fast start in the top of the first inning with multiple singles that led to the first run of the game scored by Bella Shelnut and later added a second run. That gave them a quick 2-0 lead.
Beck worked hard and got out of a bases loaded jam leaving 3 runners stranded on base.
Shiotani held Marana scoreless in the bottom of the first inning. Marana returned the favor holding Washington scoreless in the top of the second.
The action picked up in the bottom of the second inning with Bella Brooks-Rojel who led off with a single, immediately stole second base.
Then Emma Winter walked that put two runners on, one in scoring position. Aubrianna Gray then belted a three run home run putting Marana up by a score of 3-2.
In the top of the third inning, Marana had two fielding miscues which allowed Washington to score two unearned runs and a 5-3 lead.
The inning ended when Marana caught a runner in between first and second base and retiring the player in a run down.
Marana led off the bottom of the fourth after taking a walk. With a fielding miscue by Washington there were now two runners on base. Cadence Beck then came to the plate and ripped a double scoring both runners that tied the score at 5-5.
Head Coach Sam Mills made a pitching change in the top of the fifth inning and brought in Aubrianna Gray.
Magnolia used a combination of singles and a double to score three runs regaining the lead 8-5.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Addie Angell scorched a double followed by Malia Mills’ single, however Marana left two runners stranded on base.
Washington added a couple of runs in the top of the sixth and could have been more if not for Malia Mills who made a spectacular catch in left field to get out of the inning without further damage.
Neither team scored the rest of the way. The final score was 10-5 for the kids from Magnolia, who stay undefeated and in the winner’s bracket.
Grace Shiotani went the distance in the circle and pitched a complete game for Washington, striking out eight.
Marana’s Beck pitched four innings, striking out six and Gray pitched three innings, striking out three.
Alessa Iliakis led the way for Washington at the plate with two hits, two RBI and a walk followed by Shelnut with two hits and a run scored.
Gray led the way at the plate for Marana with three RBI.
The tournament is double elimation. The Marana All Stars continue their post season journey but now in the losers bracket.
A third game later Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. matches them up with the Nevada State Champions.
Article by Kevin Barney – 520 Sports Talk
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