By By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
The Washington 15U Babe Ruth baseball all-star team used a eight-run third inning to overwhelm Beaufort County 9-2 in the opening round of the 2009 District 6 Babe Ruth 15U Baseball Tournament on Thursday night.
Washington took advantage of some costly errors by the Beaufort County all-star squad, which includes players from the Belhaven, Bath and Chocowinity Babe Ruth leagues.
Washington’s Brandon Venters started off the bottom of the third by reaching base on a throwing error. No. 9 hitter Will Masten followed with a slow hit grounder bobbled by the Beaufort County shortstop for another error. With Venters at second and Masten on first, leadoff hitter Austin Mitchell laid down a perfectly placed bunt single. A passed ball by the Beaufort County catcher scored Venters from third for the first Washington run of the game. The game now tied at 1-1, Ryan Hardison was hit by a pitch to load the bases once again.
Will Swain followed with a hard-hit ball that grazed the glove of the Beaufort County shortstop as it traveled into center field. Swain motored around to second on the play, while Masten and Mitchell scored for a 3-1 Washington lead.
Gage Tyson got into the action with a scorching two RBI double over the Beaufort County third baseman’s head. After Cameron Warren laced a single to left, Beaufort County’s starting pitcher was taken out.
Beaufort County’s first relief pitcher issued four-straight walks to start and finish his outing, bringing in two runs in the process. Sandwiched between the walks, Beaufort County got its first out of the inning when a Washington player was caught between third and home on a rundown.
Beaufort County’s second relief pitcher of the inning managed to minimize the damage by allowing two more runs to score for a 8-1 Washington lead.
The Washington all-stars never relented the lead behind a strong starting pitching performance from Tyler Waters, who gave up an early run and then calmed down.
Beaufort County scored its first run of the game in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly from Neal Gibbs. The run was set up by a Jody Harding one-out double. Harding advanced to third on a wild pitch, before scoring on the sacrifice fly.
Washington will move on to play Kinston, which beat Newport 2-1 Tuesday afternoon. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start today at the Susiegray McConnell Sports Complex. Beaufort County will face off against fellow first-round loser Newport at 7:30 p.m.