All-Stars shut out S. Skagit

Behind the one-hit shutout pitching of starter Jack Lewis, South Whidbey’s 9-10 year-old All-Star team cruised to an 11-0 win over South Skagit’s American League All-Stars in the Little League District 11 tournament on Wednesday.

Lewis fanned 13 of the 18 batters he faced while walking two. South Skagit’s lone hit came in the first inning.

The South Whidbey squad hit the scoreboard early when second baseman Trent Fallon drew a walk in the first and was doubled home by Lewis.

The team piled on eight runs in the third, beginning with centerfielder Colton Sterba’s leadoff double. Two grounders by Fallon and shortstop Evan Piehler scored Sterba, then Lewis jacked a two-run homer over the centerfield fence.

With bases loaded and two out, right fielder Beck Davis’s fly to right dropped in, scoring left fielder Jeff Bueler and first baseman Taylor Simmons and landing Davis on second.

Sterba came up for the second time in the inning and launched a triple over the centerfielder’s head, scoring third baseman Charlie Stelling and Davis. Sterba scored on an overthrow at third and the All-Stars led 9-0.

The team notched two more runs in the fifth, when Davis’ line smash to right center rolled to the wall for a double, and Sterba’s single over the second baseman’s head brought him home. Fallon’s infield hit advanced Sterba, and Piehler’s ground single through the right side scored him.

The game was called after the fifth inning due to one team being 10 or more runs ahead.

Victory in their opener earned the South Whidbeyites two days off.

On Saturday, they face either the North Whidbey or South Skagit National League team at 1 p.m., and if they win, a team to be determined at 4 p.m.

The double-elimination tournament continues through July 12, with the winner going to the state championship in Walla Walla.

The South Whidbey team is managed by Greg Bennett, with coaching assistance from Tom Fallon and Art Piehler.

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