AUBURN - Absence of big hits added up to the end of the season for the District VII champion Pac West 9-10 age Little League baseball unit on Monday, July 16, at GSA Park Field No. 2.

District XII titlist Richland National's pitching limited Pac West to a pair of hits in a 4-1 loser-out game victory at the 2012 state tournament.

"We couldn't hit today," explained District VII manager Roger Patten. "Their shortstop seemed to suck up every hit. We just couldn't find the holes. It's been a wild ride with a fun group of kids. We're like the Bad News Bears; we come to play."

After dropping a 15-5 match up against District III Chehalis on Sunday, July 15, Pac West played toughly against National, but simply was unable to consistently put together a series of scoring plays.

"We did well, today," said Jordan Aycox. "They were just better than us."

In an encounter where scoring runs was an outstanding obstacle, the late innings carried the climactic action.

Carefully clutching a shaky 2-1 lead after 4 1/2 innings of play, District XII carried its confidence to a higher level. Two consecutive singles plus an outfield miscue on the second one-baser tallied one run before Kirby Robertson plated another run on a single as Richland National extended its advantage to 4-1 with no outs. Blaine Patten came to the mound in relief to record an infield pop fly out followed by a ground out and strikeout to put out the side, but Pac West was unable to score in the sixth, ending a fine effort by District VII.

Despite the tournament ending loss PW player Patten appreciated the experience thoroughly.

"It feels exciting," he said. "I enjoyed getting to know our team and playing with them."

Through the first two innings, both teams escaped scoring threats to keep the game scoreless. Richland stranded a runner on third base in the bottom of the first and then left runners on second and third in the second inning.

For their part, the Pac West All-Stars left players on the bags at second and third with two outs in the top of the second inning.

Richland National Little League manufactured a run in the bottom of the third inning following a single, a passed ball, a wild pitch and an RBI single.

Pac West knotted the game in the top of the fourth. Trenton Brown scorched a leadoff single before advancing to third on a passed ball followed by a wild pitch. With one out, Kayla Siler grounded out to the second baseman for a 1-1 deadlock.

This deadlock was short-lived as District 12 took back the advantage in the home half of the inning. A base hit preceded two wild pitches and a walk. National edged into the lead on a fielder's choice ground out and maintained this margin until the fateful fourth inning.

With the All-Star journey at end for this year's Pac West squad, Tyler Gilpatrick recalled his experiences in positive perspectives.

"I had a lot of fun playing in the tournament," he said. "My own highlight was in the first game when I went 3-for-3 with a double and a single."

Memorable moments will stay with this hard working All-Star team.

District VII All-Star player roster included Blaine Patten, Timothy Brodigan, Trenton Brown, Jeremiah Jud, Kayla Siler, Tre Harshman, Jordan Aycox, Mac Greenan, Reiss Magee, Bradley Anderson and Tyler Gilpatrick.

Assisting manager Roger Patten were coaches Jerha Hendrickson and Scott Magee.

Mitch Stone served as league president.