MARYSVILLE Everyone wanted to get out of the heat June 2, but the Walker Coffee Company team put its wishes into action, quickly defeating Corcoran Thunder 11-0 in four innings.
The blowout win came in Marysville Little League action during the second day of the 14-day Strawberry Tournament, which, in this case, pitted the Marysville National League Walker Coffee against the Alderwood Leagues Corcoran Thunder.
Josh Weaver pitched the shutout for WCC, and earned nine of the Thunders 12 outs at the plate.
But Weavers pitching was just half the teams strategy, according to manager Bryan Ness.
Our strategy is were a hitting team, Ness said after the win. It didnt start out how we wanted it to, but it heated up and we got some bats.
Corcoran pitcher Alex Hanson and the Thunder defense held off the Walker offense for two innings. Hanson had two Ks in a third inning that saw the Thunder give up a run to Walker shortstop Tyler Wade off a double by third baseman Tyler Beach.
But a storm was brewing in the Walker dugout, and it struck in the fourth inning.
Weaver and outfielder Dez Ritcheson led off the inning, each getting on base. Then Walkers third Tyler, the outfielder Summers, hit a double to bring in his teammates.
Errors also helped along the home team.
Summers scored on an error, and teammates Bo Wells, Wade, Kayce Walker and Alec Bargmeyer all gained bases in their runs thanks to Thunder errors.
Walker went through its entire rotation at least once in the fourth. By the time Weaver was up to bat again, Hanson had reached his pitch count and was relieved by first baseman James Gerde.
Weaver and Ritcheson each hit a double off Gerde.
Then with Ritcheson and Summers on base, Wells hit a two-run single, bringing the game to an early end by the mercy rule.
Ness said his team didnt make many mistakes and played smart. He took a little credit for the latter attribute.
We let the kids coach first (base) to engage them in the game a little more, Ness explained. He added, We played a clean game.
At Cedar Field
Thunder 0 0 0 0 0
Walker 0 0 1 10 11
Walker Coffee defends home turf in tournament win
MARYSVILLE Everyone wanted to get out of the heat June 2, but the Walker Coffee Company team put its wishes into action, quickly defeating Corcoran Thunder 11-0 in four innings.
