WASHINGTON — Small ball, solid defense and timely pitching has kept the Tar River All-Stars afloat in the competitive 12U Tarheel District 7 Tournament. On Saturday, the team from the Chocowinity-Grimesland area used that same approach to shut down Jamesville through five innings, until a heartbreaking one-out, seven-run rally in the final inning ended Tar River’s run and propelled Jamesville to the semi-finals of the losers’ bracket.

In a marquee pitchers’ dual, ace Seth Garrett took the mound for the home team, as Luke Taylor relieved Trey Gregory after the Jamesville starter walked the first three batters of the game.

It was a sensible switch by head coach Ashley Futrell. After allowing a quick run, Taylor came in and struck out three batters in a row to escape a jam and avoid further damage.

Over next four innings, Taylor and Garrett were virtually unhittable, both utilizing their plus fastballs and knee buckling curves.

Jamesville threatened in the second with three singles, but Garrett managed to strikeout Rustin Reason with two runners on. From there, the Tar River starter was masterful, allowing just three base runners, as Taylor continued to keep hitters off balance and off base.

After picking up three strikeouts in the fifth, Garrett came out to pitch the final inning, forcing a quick groundout. Just two outs a way from the semi-finals, it began to unravel for Tar River.

Garrett walked Cody Gardner and Jordan Futrell. Taylor followed with an infield single and loaded the bases. Then, a pop fly to the second baseman, which was not called an infield fly by either umpire, was dropped, scoring Gardner and tying the game. Showing clear fatigue, Garrett walked Jameson Perry to force in the go-ahead run.

Head coach Rob Garrett replaced his starter with Douglas Woolard, but the runs continued to pile up. A hit batter, another infield error and hard-hit single plated another three runs to put Jamesville up 4-1. Then, a fielder’s choice and a double off the wall by Gregory scored two, giving Jamesville a commanding 7-1 lead heading into the final frame.

Taylor came out to put the final inning and retired the side with ease.

For Jamesville, Taylor was the only player to record two hits, while allowing no runs through six innings and racking up nine strikeouts.

Garrett notched seven strikeouts, giving up five runs, all unearned and all in the seventh inning.