By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Joltin’ Joe Sherick pitched a four-hit complete game with 14  strikeouts over six innings to lead the West Seattle 10-12 age Little League Baseball All-Stars to a 10-3 victory against previously undefeated Rainier District Little League.

The District VII tournament win at the Bar-S Playground on Fri., July 11, forced the teams into a rubber match provisional championship game on July 13 at 11 a.m.

The winner earns the right to enter state tournament play.

The definitive moment for Sherick came after RDLL had scored two runs to trail only 4-3 with two outs and a runner on first base.

Sherick struck out a batter for the third out and the Westsiders blasted out a six-run top of the sixth inning to provide a huge cushion.

”I just wanted to throw strikes and make them put the ball in play because I knew my defense would back me up,” said Sherick. “I used the fastball, cutter (the most) and the curve ball.”

With WS supporters organizing cheers from the outset, the Westsiders took the lead for good in the top of the first inning.

Lead off hitter Cody Buehring singled before advancing one base on a wild pitch. Caden Ross then grounded out to the second baseman. The Rainier first baseman then continued the sequence by overthrowing third base and allowing a run to score. Reece Holmes then slammed a single into the right centerfield gap. Another Westsiders single set Nicholas Beardemphl to the plate for an RBI single to right field. Adding a throwing error on the play brought West Seattle into a 3-0 lead.

”I was mad about losing to them the first time and I didn’t do so well,” said Reece Holmees who batted 4 of 4. “I practiced hard on my hitting before the game.”

The game settled into a well played defensive and pitcher’s battle. Rainier's feared home run hitter hit a low fastball over the fence in left centerfield to make the score 3-1.

An additional West Seattle run in the fifth inning led into the final determinations of the game.

Besides the pitching of Sherick, Westsider manager Otis Moore explained the resurgence.

”The kids really bought in and teamed up to make one super player (the whole team). The subs were a big part of it.”

The player roster for West Seattle includes Caden Ross, Cam Fitterer, Cody Buehring, Cody Sazama, Dex Pudduck, Duncan Monnin, Hudson Harding, Ivan Moore, Jesse LaBella, Joe Sherick, Jones Kasperson, Marko Woefle, Nicholas Beardemphl, and Reece Holmes.

Assisting manager Moore are coaches Brian Sherick and Matt LaBella.