MUKILTEO To judge by the length of the debrief after the game, one could assume the Marysville American All-Star team took their 6-0 loss to North Mukilteo hard.
We talked about making routine plays, American coach Jeff Weiderstrom said after the team of 12-year-olds broke down the game in a nearly 30-minute wrap-up. Our pitcher pitched well. We just didnt make some routine plays.
It didnt help Marysville at all that Mukilteo put together a four-run first inning during the 9 a.m. match June 30.
Marysvilles biggest struggle was putting together hits. Although several members of the American team were able to get hits against the Mukilteo pitcher, Weiderstrom credited Mukilteo with getting ahead of batters.
Gabe Ramirez, who played on the American League champion Romo Construction team, pitched the entire game for the American All-Stars. After the defensively dismal first inning, Ramirez had three strikeouts in the next four innings, and the American team held Mukilteo North to just two more runs in the rest of the game.
Still, the struggle to make something happen was visible on several American team members faces.
During the third inning when Mukiteo nabbed its fifth and sixth runs, a missed line drive-turned-RBI between Ramirez and shortstop Ben Zorko had several players looking discouraged.
Starting out down four runs doesnt help, Weiderstrom admitted. Next thing you know, we come out and have some errors.
According to Weiderstrom and fellow coach Alfredo Ramirez, there were a few bright spots.
First baseman Conner Martinis had two hits, as did another teammate.
Our leadoff batter, Cody Freeman, got on base twice, Ramirez said. You always ask your leadoff hitter to get on base.
Catcher Brandon Beathers and pitcher Gabe Ramirez each had a hit as well.
Despite the loss and heavy hearts, Ramirez said the team always tries to stay positive.
It helps that a lot of the kids on the team are friends. Despite coming together from five different teams during the regular Little League season, Weiderstrom said the regular season rivalry does little to impede friendships founded on years of playing together and against each other.
Most of these kids play summer ball together. Even when theyre on different teams, theyre friends, he said.
The loss pitted Marysville against Alderwood July 1, where the American team again struggled unsuccessfully to overcome an early deficit. Marysville allowed eight runs in the second inning, giving Alderwood a 10-4 win in the loser-out game.
(The) game was the same situation as we had against North Mukilteo. We had one bad inning against Alderwood, Weiderstrom said, adding of their seasons end, They were disappointed that they didnt win a game. Even though we got down early with one bad inning, we battled and started to make a comeback, we just didnt quite have enough.

At Mukilteo Little League Complex

MA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NM 4 0 2 0 0 x 6