Americans fall in 9-10 state opener

Gig Harbor team can’t erase big deficit at tourney

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

It was another bad first inning for the Gig Harbor American 9-10-year-olds in the first round of the Little League state tournament on Sunday.

GHA battled back from a seven-run deficit to win the district title, but a seven-run deficit was too much last weekend.

Gig Harbor fought back but couldn’t get over the hump, falling to Capitol of Olympia, 10-9.

GHA’s Henry Cheney got the start on the mound, and the Americans put three runs on the board in the top of the first to cut into the deficit.

Then came the defensive woes.

Capitol scored seven runs, some unearned, GHA manager Curt Morford said.

“It’s tough to lose the first one,” Morford said. “It’s a long road out of the consolation bracket.”

GHA was set to play tournament host Evergreen of Vancouver after press time on Tuesday.

It was almost a different story.

Gig Harbor American closed within 7-6 with three more runs in the second inning. RJ Green came on in relief and surrendered just one run in two innings.

GHA tallies runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth frames, but the Americans left Cheney — the tying run — on second base when a grounder to shortstop ended the game.

GHA’s Alex Morford was a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a triple and a double. Sam Lovrak went 3-for-4 and scored three runs.

Reach Sports Editor Marques Hunter at 253-853-9246 or by e-mail at marques.hunter@gateline.com.