Snak Atak knocks off Midwest Minerals

Snak Atak has been in close games all year long.
During the first few games, the team was on the wrong side of those games, starting out 0-5 and finishing the regular season one position away from the cellar.
But Snak Atak turned those close games the other way on Tuesday, winning two games in the championship in backs-to-the-wall situations against Midwest Minerals to take the 8-and-under title. Snak Atak won 14-13 in the first game and 6-5 in six innings in the second title game.
In the first game, Snak Atak started off hot by scoring eight runs in the first two innings, including a maximum of five in the first. Midwest Minerals responded with four runs of its own in the first inning, leaving the score at 8-4 after two innings. In the third inning, Snak Atak stretched its lead to six with Kate Radell and Kelsey Curran crossing the plate for Snak Atak.
In the fourth inning, Midwest Minerals responded with four runs and added five more in the fifth and final inning to take a 13-10 lead with 3 outs remaining.
Two outs, two singles and two runs by Snak Atak later, and Jenna Broyles knocked the game-winning run across the plate to force a second game because of the tournament’s double-elimination format.
The second game was eerily similar, as Snak Atak jumped out to a 9-2 lead after two innings. In the top of the third inning and then later in the fifth, Midwest Minerals rallied to tie the game at nine, thanks in part to Ella Battitori, who added two runs and an RBI during those two innings.
After a play at the plate and an unproductive inning by Snak Atak kept the score at 9 at the end of regulation, Midwest Minerals failed to score in the top of the sixth, the stage was set for Abby Wilson. Abby knocked in Abbie Casper for the third time in the game for the winning run, giving Snak Atak the title.

10-and-under
It was a game for pitchers in the 10-and-under championships, but Shaylee Stanley and Vietti Auto Body came out on top of Lynn’s Quik Lube, 3-0.
Stanley gave up only three hits in the title game and struck out nine batters, including the final out on a three-pitch punchout to end the game.
Vietti’s offense was limited itself, getting all three of its runs in the first inning.
After Liz Hayes hit a single to knock in catcher Katie Short, Vietti’s Emily Wood provided some power behind the plate for the team, scoring Hayes and Stanley on a double.
Vietti head coach Jason Cecil led the team to an 11-1 record and was impressed by his battery.
“This is definitely the best team I’ve ever had,” Cecil said. “We had a good pitcher who started pitching two weeks before the season started. She formed an extremely great relationship with the catcher. She’s surprised us.”

12-and-under
Katie Phalen did a lot to support her own cause, giving Phalen Law a 7-4 win over Evans Motors for the 12 and under championship.
Phalen, the pitcher, had a walk, a single, and an inside-the-park home run. She was supported with the timely singles of her catcher, Lizzie Willis, who hit three singles to plate three runs. Shortstop Megan Reed added two singles and two RBIs, as well.
Second baseman Haylee Moore led Evans Motors with two RBIs on a double.
Phalen head coach Larry Willis said his team won with smart base running decisions.
“Once we got on base, we just taught the girls how to be aggressive on the base paths,” Willis said. “And they are aggressive. They just liked to run around all the time. We only lost one game all season. I’d say that’s a great year.”