7/20/2008 7:00:00 AM Kingman North bounces back Local All-Stars shine after rough start
JC AMBERLYN/Miner
Kingman North’s Devlin Lefler takes a cut during Kingman’s 6-5 loss to Canyon Del Oro Thursday in the 2008 Arizona State Minors Tournament at Southside Park.
Westin McCord's two-run single in the first inning that one-hopped the left-field fence to score Austin Tomlinson and Ricky Hannasch was all the scoring that the Kingman North Little League Minor All Stars needed on Friday at Southside Park.
Kingman North cruised to a 17-0 blanking of Morenci Clifton to even its Pool A record to 1-1.
Kingman North scored 11 runs in the first inning as it sent 16 batters to the plate. Everyone in the lineup scored in the inning, and Kingman North even left two runners in scoring position.
For the game, Kingman North only had seven hits, but as team drew 11 walks and a hit-by-pitch.
Joe Mar Bautista was issued three of the walks and scored each time he reached base.
Breyden Potter went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs, and McCord went 2-for-3 to lead Kingman North.
Devlin Lefler, Hannasch, Steven Roby, McCord and Potter combined to throw a two-hitter for Kingman North. Morenci only had one runner reach third base, and that came in the fourth and final inning. Morenci was able to load the bases with two outs, but Potter ended the game by striking out Ruben Leonard.
"We had great pitching," Kingman North coach Bill McCord said. "We were able to keep all of our pitchers for tonight's (Saturday) game."
Kingman North needed to get a win after losing a heartbreaker to Tucson Canyon Del Oro (1-0) on Thursday. In the four-game mini-season format, a second loss would have seriously hindered Kingman North's chances of advancing to the semifinals. The top two from the 7-team Pool A will advance. Glendale (2-0) leads the pool.
Canyon Del Oro's Max Smith held Kingman North scoreless through three innings in the opening game.
As Smith was dealing, CDO jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three.
Kingman North finally got to Smith with two runs in the fourth. Zeke Brooks opened the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third when Lefler reached first on an error by CDO's catcher. TJ Pena moved Lefler over to second on a bunt single while Brooks remained at third.
Cody Heitman hit into a fielder's choice as Brooks was thrown out at home. Lefler scored on Tomlinson's single, and Pena scored on a passed ball.
After CDO scored one in the fourth, the Tucson squad took a 6-2 lead into the top of the sixth. Kingman North rallied for three runs helped by a two-run single from Hannasch. With Hannasch standing on first, the Kingman North rally just fell short as Brooks struck out swinging to end the game.
"We came out too flat. They were a little nervous and uptight," McCord said. "I'm proud that we came back. I'm happy they stayed in it."
Kingman North played a crucial game against Ahwatukee (1-1) on Saturday night. The game ended after the Miner went to press. Check out the Scoreboard on 14A for the standings, upcoming games and results of the tournament.
