JAMESVILLE — The first day of the Little Tar Heel District 7 tournament featured a noon showdown between Beaufort County rivals in the 10U division. Washington and Chocowinity battled through extra innings until Silas Pierce belted the walk-off shot to right field to give Chocowinity the win.

Washington jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but Chocowinity showed plenty of resolve. The boys just about matched everything Washington’s offense could produce. Whenever Washington scored in the top of a frame, Chocowinity scored in the bottom.

“It was (an exciting game) and it was a very tough one. We used our best pitchers right there, which makes things tough for the rest of the tournament,” said Chocowinity coach Brian Dixon. He explained that his plan going in was to use pitchers for about two innings at a time to save them for the rest of the tournament. He was proud of the way they dug down deep to close out the win.

“It helps, from a morale standpoint, even in the pep talks and stuff,” Washington coach Shawn Yates said, noting that his team was younger than the Chocowinity squad. “It’s a morale booster when you know you’re 9 years old and competing with 10U.”

Tanner Moore, Hunter Chrismon, Dylan Green and Gabe Davis all scored in the first for Washington, which only had two hits in the four-run start. Chocowinity handed Washington a few opportunities in the form of walks and passed balls, but minimized those freebies after the opening frame.

Chrismon fanned the first two Chocowinity batters he faced in the bottom of the first. Chocowinity’s patience at the plate prevailed after as the boys drew three walks and had a hit batter. Pierce notched his first hit of the game as he, Jacori Blount and Jamie Corpew all came across to score.

The two sides traded runs all afternoon. Each scored once in the second and three times in the fourth.

Chocowinity took its first lead of the game down the homestretch in the bottom of the fifth. Blount singled to centerfield to plate Alex Crisp, giving them a 9-8 edge. All they needed to do to advance to the winner’s bracket was hold Washington off the scoreboard in the top of the sixth.

Washington had other plans, though. With teammates on second and third, Chrismon drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Green did the same and Taveon Mciver waltzed on home to tie the game, 9-9, entering the bottom of the sixth.

Washington held Chocowinity to just four batters to keep the game tied and force extra innings. Alex Baker came on to pitch for Chocowinity in the top of the seventh. He conceded just one hit sandwiched between a pair of foul outs and a groundout back to him.

It gave Chocowinity the chance to seal the game in the bottom of the seventh. With the top of the batting order due up, Cutter Williams and Blount both drew walks and Corpew reached on an error. They had the bases loaded with one out, setting up Pierce for his heroics.

The extra-inning affair likely made things a bit more difficult for both sides throughout the rest of the tournament.