The Magnolia Little League 10-year-old All-Star team took second place at the District 8 softball tournament in Kenmore on July 13. They were undefeated going into the championship until they dropped their final game by a score of 13-10.
Magnolia started the tournament July 9 in Woodinville with a victory over North Kenmore, 3-0. Dylan Wade pitched a one-hitter, striking out 10 batters and allowing only one walk in six innings pitched. Ben Welch scored two runs, and Kyle Kaupp contributed another run in the shutout.
Advancing with the win, Magnolia played on Sunday, July 10, against the Woodinville team. Magnolia gave up 10 runs in the fifth inning, and dropped the game by a score of 13-3, thereby moving into the losers bracket.
Magnolia reversed its previous misfortunes on Tuesday, July 12, with a 13-3 win over RUG. Owen Quinton notched the win, striking out three hitters and giving up only two runs; reliever Ben Welch closed the game in the fifth inning.
Highlights of the game included the performance of Robbie Dunbar, who drove in three runs with double, batting 1 for 2 with a walk. Nick Tajalle went 2 for 2, with two runs and an RBI.
The team earned another shutout on Wednesday, July 13, with an 8-0 victory over North Bothell. Wade pitched a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and a single walk. Matt Deehring went 3 for 4 with a run, one RBI and a stolen base.
The next game was Thursday, July 14, against Kenmore, where Magnolia again proved victorious, 10-2. Wade batted 2 for 2 with a single, double, a walk, and also took base after getting beaned by a pitch. He ended the game with 4 RBIs and 2 runs.
Trevor Hansen was 1 for 2 with a run and an RBI, and Will Schmidt was also impressive, scoring two runs and batting in two as well.
Magnolia played Woodinville again on Friday, July 15, with Ryan Books taking the mound. He pitched the complete game, earning the win 4-3, with eight strike outs; he also contributed on offense, batting 3 for 3 with a walk and one run scored.
Gordon Krippaehne hit a double and ended with two RBIs.
Magnolia played Northshore on Saturday, July 16. The game was tied 2-2 after six innings; then Northshore scored in the seventh.
Hansen led off the bottom of the inning for Magnolia with a single to center field; Welch then walked and Kaupp hit an infield single to load the bases; Books walked to force in the tying run, and Wade walked to force in the winning run for Magnolia.
The championship game was Sunday, July 17, against Woodinville West. It was a hard fought game, but Woodinville prevailed 13-10.
Magnolia was 6-2 overall for the championship, playing eight games in nine days. Kaupp, Wade, Deerhing and Books all ended up batting above .500 for the tournament; Kaupp led the team with 10 runs; Wade led the team with 12 RBIs.
This second-place finish was the best finish ever for a Magnolia 10-year-old All-Star team.
The Magnolia 11-year-old team went 2-2 with victories over North King County and Ballard.
The Magnolia Majors squad was 1-2 with a victory over RUG.
The Magnolia Junior Boys went 2-2, beating Northwest and Woodinville/Woodinville West.
The Seniors were 3-2, placing third for the tournament.
At the Girls District Tournaments, the Magnolia 10-year-old girls team went 3-2, placing second.
The Major Softball team went 1-2, with a victory over Kenmore.
The Senior Softball team went 2-0, winning the district; they will be competing for state in Yakima.
- Submitted by David Kaupp
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