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La Grande eliminated
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The Pendleton 11/12-year-old all-star team remained undefeated in the District 3 tournament after defeating La Grande, 6-0, in Thursday’s semifinal. Pendleton (4-0) was fueled by 15 strikeouts, 12 thrown by Anthony Huntington. La Grande (3-2) had two hits in the game. After Huntington struck out La Grande’s first three batters, Taylor Hillmick and TJ Hancock each hit doubles to lead off for Pendleton. Huntington retired La Grande’s first eight batters, and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and La Grande’s 15th at bat. “Coaches told us before the game to just concentrate, keep our heads in the game and not get down on ourselves,” Huntington said. “I felt like I got in a groove after the second inning. It just felt really good out there.” Huntington’s two-run home run in the second inning gave Pendleton a 4-0 lead. “La Grande’s a very good hitting ball club,” Pendleton assistant coach Matt Chase said. “We emphasized that all throughout practice before the game. Hats off to them. They really are an excellent ball team.” La Grande’s chances at a rally were ended after leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning and stranding Trenton Powers on second base after a double in the final inning. Pendleton’s Boots Pond and Tyler Kautz each batted in the final two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. “We told our players it was going to be a dogfight, and they knew the magnitude of the game and what it meant playing La Grande,” Chase said. “I was pleased with our team from top to bottom. You could not have asked for a more team- oriented game.” Pendleton advances to today’s district championship game to face the winner of Thursday’s Baker and Harney County semifinal game. The championship game will begin at 3 p.m. in Elgin.
Pendleton 220 02x — 6 7 3 WP — Huntington. LP — Cederholm. 2B — LG, Powers; P, Hillmick, Hancock, Pond. HR —P, Huntington. |
