By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

The good news for the Southwest Little League charter of White Center?

Its Intermediate team for 13 year olds and under scored two runs Friday, came close to scoring more, pounded out five hits and is within one win of the District 7 all-star championship game.

The bad news?

Southwest lost its tournament opener to South Highline National by a 15-2 score, and the game to win is the loser's bracket final of only a three-team tournament.

But the rebuilding Southwest program is on the young side, and hopes to fare better in the future.
For now, though, its was South Highline National of Normandy Park and Des Moines that dominated, taking a 10-0 lead by the end of the third inning on three runs in the first, five in the second and two in the third.
Southwest broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth.

Adam Hindle drew a one out walk and stole second to start off, but was thrown out trying to steal third.
That turned out to be important, as Keiondre Carter, Tobias Woodard, Ryan Pennington and Eamon Simmons all walked in order.

That scored one run, but two would have been added if Hindle was still aboard.

National answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning, before Southwest scored one in the fifth and threatened for more.

Colby Sessions hit a leadoff single -- his second hit of the day in three at-bats -- and stole second and third.
A pickoff throw missed at third and Sessions tried to score, but was thrown out at the plate.

Justin Stetson walked, and one strikeout later Hindle, Carter and Woodard all singled to tally Stetson and load the bases.

But Hindle was picked off at third to leave South Highline National more than 10 runs ahead and end the game.

National goes on to play West Seattle in the winner's bracket final at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the loser meeting Southwest in the loser's bracket final at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Championship action is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday with the if-necessary game of the double-elimination tournament scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

All of the Intermediate tournament games are being played on Pacwest Field No. 3 off Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien.