GRESHAM – It's a brave new world for the Beaverton Aloha Little League Intermediate all-stars, and it's a world that Beaverton is determined to conquer.
Beaverton Aloha, the District 4 representative, rolled to four straight wins in the Oregon Intermediate Tournament (Intermediate baseball is also known as 50/70 for its 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot bases) at Reynolds High School, capping that run with a 14-7 championship-game win over Wilshire on July 10.
In total, Beaverton Aloha outscored its four opponents 43-12. Now, Beaverton Aloha is getting ready to battle again, competing in the Little League West Region Intermediate Tournament in Nogales, Ariz.
Beaverton Aloha opens the tournament with a pool play game against Alaska at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Fleischer Park Field No. 1. Beaverton Aloha continues pool with the following games: vs. Southern California at Fleischer Park Field 2 at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19; vs. Idaho at Fleischer Park Field 1 at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20; vs. Arizona at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 21 at Fleischer Park Field 2.
Beaverton Aloha 14, Wilshire 7
In the July 10 title contest at the state tournament, Wilshire grabbed an early 3-1 lead against Beaverton Aloha and still led 3-2 going into the sixth inning. But Beaverton Aloha rose up late in the game and poured across 12 runs in its final two at-bats to pull away.
Highlights from its seven-run sixth inning included a two-run double by Phoenix Goerlich, a two-run homer by Chace Fery, and RBI singles from Diego Robison, Connor Patrick and Sam Kim. In the team's five-run seventh, Lucas Banning smacked a two-run single for Beaverton Aloha.
Beaverton Aloha 11, Grants Pass 0
While it was offense that ruled the day in the title contest, it was Beaverton Aloha's pitching that stepped up against Grants Pass on July 9. Goerlich and Patrick did the honors on the mound, teaming for a no-hitter with Goerlich going 4-1/3 innings and allowing no hits and no walks while striking out nine, and Patrick getting the final two outs to close the door.
At the plate, Beaverton Aloha scored once in the first, three times in the third and seven times in the fourth to put the game away. In that fourth, Travis Helm tripled home one run, while Dean Clark, Michael Duggan and Banning each added RBI singles.
Beaverton Aloha 11, Mt. View 0
Game two was another masterpiece for Beaverton Aloha, with Banning shutting Mt. View down from the mound and also contributing a two-run single in his team's seven-run fourth.
On the hill, Banning went the whole way, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out eight.
Beaverton Aloha opened the contest with four runs in the first, then closed the door in its big fourth that also included a two-run single by Patrick and a run-scoring hit from Goerlich.
Beaverton Aloha 7, Wilshire 5
In its tournament opener and its closest state game, Beaverton Aloha saw Wilshire rally from an early deficit to lead 3-2 after 4-1/2 innings, but Wilshire couldn't hold it.
Beaverton Aloha came back with five runs in its final two at-bats to win.
Patrick led the way all day, hitting doubles in the third and fifth innings and a triple in the sixth, and also throwing 1-2/3 scoreless innings. In Beaverton Aloha's decisive sixth, Banning knocked in Fery with the go-ahead run.
-- Miles Vance | @MilesVance1