KITSAP, WASH. – Although the Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball 13-Year-Old All-Stars touched down at Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, Wash. two days ago, they are still trying to gain some footing.
Waite Park pitcher Joey Atkinson pitched a no-hitter to lead Minnesota past Westfield 3-0 in the World Series opener yesterday morning at Kitsap Fairground Field Complex in Kitsap County, Wash.
Minnesota scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning in large part due to a throwing error. Waite Park led off the inning with a walk, and scored when Westfield pitcher Ari Schwartz fielded Mike Petron’s swinging bunt and overshot the first baseman. The ball sailed to the outfield fence. Three batters later, pitcher Joey Atkinson helped his cause with a run-scoring liner through the left side.
Petron manufactured an insurance run in the third, hitting a bloop single to center field, stealing second base, advancing to third on a wild pitch, and scoring on Atkinson’s bloop single.
Schwartz scattered six hits, allowing barely any hard-hit balls. He struck out five batters.
“I thought Ari pitched well,” Westfield manager Mike Smith said. “It’s tough to get that many strikeouts at this age group.”
“We just made one bad play,” Smith said. “I didn’t think we played poorly. I thought their pitcher pitched well. They’re a well-coached bunch. (Atkinson) was not overpowering, but we didn’t hit it hard. And when we did, they made it.”
Westfield had its best opportunity early on.
In the first inning, Atkinson walked Sean Moorhouse and Anthony Clark. But a fly out ended the threat. Clark drew a one-out walk in the fourth, but Atkinson induced a double play to end the inning.
“Even though we lost our first one, we’ll keep rolling,” coach Smith said. “These kids aren’t down. We will come back Friday against the host team and hit more. We’ll be fine.”
Westfield will enjoy an off day before returning to action Friday night against Kitsap. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific Time, 10 EST.
NOTES: Game One between Westfield and Minnesota featured a matchup of familiar foes. Smith and Waite Park manager Brian Backes were roommates at St. John’s University (Minn.). Both played football for the school. “Today, he got the better of me,” Smith said. …Westfield will spend Thursday enjoying time with their host families and parents before returning to practice Friday morning.
