MARYSVILLE — The youngest Marysville National all-star team picked up a big win against the North Snohomish all-stars before facing elimination against South Everett.

The boys trailed 1-0 after the first inning, but came back with three runs in the third inning of the July 2 game at Cedar Field to make it a contest.

Coming up to the plate with one out, leadoff batter Joey Espinoza got things started for the Nationals, singling to left center field. Jacob Watts and Darrek Danielson followed with hits, the latter batting in Espinoza to tie the game.

Coming off of a big double play in the top of the third to get his team off of the field, Zack Townsend continued to step up for the Nationals, hitting a two-run single that gave the Marysville team the lead.

“We started out really well on defense but ran out of pitching,” Marysville Nationals manager Rob McGarry would later say of the game’s turning point.

In the top of the fourth, pitcher J.T. Kirkland struck out his third batter, but South Everett started finding plays. Marysville got a second out quickly as a hit grounded to shortstop Watts who stopped the lead runner. But the next seven batters either walked or singled, scoring six runs for South Everett to retake the lead. The South Everett team scored again in the fifth and sixth innings for a final score of 11-3. South Everett eliminated Marysville from the tournament, advancing to face Stilly Valley July 5.

“This is a great group of kids,” added McGarry. “Unselfish, good team chemistry, lots of smiles, lots of laughs. That’s what I like about this team.”

Townsend and outfielder Daniel Shane pitched the win against North Snohomish.