Marysville’s 10- and 11-year-old all-stars hope to rebound from loss

Even at 11 years old, you can get your heartbroken. The Marysville National all stars, ages 10-11, fell victim to the walkoff in a 7-6 loss to Mukilteo National June 26 at Freedom Field in Mill Creek.

By Travis Sherer • July 1, 2010 7:11 am
Catcher Noah Wallace leads the game off with a double.
Catcher Noah Wallace leads the game off with a double.



MILL CREEK — Even at 11 years old, you can get your heartbroken.

The Marysville National all stars, ages 10-11, fell victim to the walkoff in a 7-6 loss to Mukilteo National June 26 at Freedom Field in Mill Creek.

“That’s a good ball club,” said Marysville manager Jason Hauck. “Our kids played their hearts out. It’s just kind of the way it goes sometimes.”

Marysville took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the sixth but Mukilteo pulled off the victory on an RBI single to center field, scoring a runner from second base.

In a sea-sawing game, Marysville struck first, scoring three runs in the first inning before Mukilteo could even get the first out, with hits by Noah Wallace, Austin Hauck and Zack Townsend — all came around to score.

Mukilteo scored four in the bottom of the second to take a 4-3 lead, but Marysville responded right after with two runs in the third and another in the fourth to extend its lead to 6-4.

While the focus ended up being on the hitters, that should not overshadow the performance of Townsend, Marysville’s starter, who went the distance with great efficiency.

“I can’t say enough about the way Zack pitched tonight,” Hauck said. “For a pitcher to head into the sixth inning with just around 60 pitches really says something at any age, at any level.”

Also catching Hauck’s eye was the oft-tested third baseman C.J. Goodman, who kept most of the balls smacked into the hot corner in front of him.

Standing out offensively for Marysville Nationals was Austin Huack who went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Collin Montez went 1-for-1 with a pair of walks. And in the field, center fielder Chris Reynaud made a diving catch to hold the runners in the sixth inning to get the first out.

The Nationals defeated Alderwood 4-3 on June 26 to advance to play Mukilteo and will now have one more chance June 30 at 7 p.m. in this double-elimination tournament.

Team members include Wallace, Hauck, Townsend, Montez, Jacob Omar, Charlie Tait, J.T. Kirkland, Reynaud, Kyler Alvis, Goodman, Devin Buckingham and Joey Martin. Coaches are Hauck and Patrick O’Rourke.