The North Boulder under-age 12 baseball team’s quest to become the first team from Colorado to reach the Little League World Series came up just short.
The Wildcats, as they call themselves, had been so good at the plate through district, state and their opening win at the mountain regional in San Bernardino, California. Which is why the end of their road was that much tougher to swallow.
They beat Montana, 18-7, on the back 17 hits and three home runs Sunday. If only they could have carried a few of those runs into their next two games, where they fell to Utah, 16-2, Tuesday, before being eliminated by Nevada, 4-0, Thursday.
“We have a really good hitting team, so it was a bummer there,” Boulder coach Joe Lutt said. “There are certainly good pitchers (at regionals) but I think all the kids felt like they should have been able to get a lot more hits and put some runs on the board. It just didn’t happen. That happens in baseball, especially with 12-year-olds.”
Regardless, it was a sensational trip.
In three games at the regional tournament, Tyce Vigil went 5 for 6 in eight plate appearances. He and Colton Priest each drove in five runs, while Heath Smouse recorded a win on the mound, allowing three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings pitched.
Still, perhaps the most memorable moments may have come away from the field. Lutt marveled at the joy of 12-year-olds as they spent time with each other at the beach, the pool and riding go-karts.
“These guys are just hanging out with each other and enjoying the experience together,” Lutt said.
On Friday, Nevada beat Utah, 2-0, to punch its ticket to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Colorado remains one of six states without an appearance.
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