Power Alley little leaguers go 2-2 in Tournament of Champions

Power Alley rallied against Tournament of Champions rival Pacific, but the Edmonds-area team ultimately proved to be the Bulldogs’ nemesis in a May 28 rematch at Lake Stevens’ Bond Field. Power Alley and Pacific found themselves locked in their second meeting in four games as the champions of their respective Little League divisions.

By Danielle Szulczewski • June 3, 2008 4:19 pm
Power Alley lefty KJ Brady had five strikeouts in three and a half innings as the Bulldogs fell to Pacific
Power Alley lefty KJ Brady had five strikeouts in three and a half innings as the Bulldogs fell to Pacific

LAKE STEVENS — Power Alley rallied against Tournament of Champions rival Pacific, but the Edmonds-area team ultimately proved to be the Bulldogs’ nemesis in a May 28 rematch at Lake Stevens’ Bond Field.

Power Alley and Pacific found themselves locked in their second meeting in four games as the champions of their respective Little League divisions. Pacific topped the Marysville National champs 1-0 in the first round of the tournament, and the teams met again in the consolation bracket as Marysville came back from the first-round loss to defeat North Everett and Lake Stevens squads for a second chance.

While Pacific took a three-run lead in the first inning, Power Alley kept themselves in the game with effective defensive play. Two outs came at home as catcher Jake Luton and the Bulldog outfield stopped Pacific’s lead runners at home.

Pacific added to their lead in the second inning, up 7-0 when Power Alley pitcher KJ Brady threw a pair of strikeouts, leaving two runners on base.

But in the top of the third, Power Alley played with a lot more confidence, thanks to a hit by leadoff batter Nick Watts. Brady got on base shortly after, allowing shortstop Brayden Hopstad’s double to bat the boys in and put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. With an error, Luton got on base as well, and second baseman Brandon Stickels got his second hit of the game — he batted 3-for-3 against Pacific — a double, that batted in two more runs for the Marysville champion.

The Bulldogs’ confidence carried over to the defense as Power Alley held Pacific three and out in the bottom of the third and scoreless in the fourth.

But in the fifth inning, Pacific got its mojo back, scoring two more runs and holding Power Alley runners on base in the top of six to enforce the five-run rule in the bottom of six.

Power Alley manager Judd Luton praised his team in the Bulldogs’ last game of the season.

“We played our hearts out,” he said. “We had nine guys in our batting order that hit over .300, so when you can do that, you’re doing something right.”

The Bulldogs defeated North Everett 9-2 in their second tourney game and Lake Stevens 5-2 in the third game.

Power Alley qualified for the tournament of champions by assembling an 18-2 record in National division play. Representing the Marysville American division in the Tournament of Champions was a Carr’s Hardware team that finished 10-10, just eking out the title past the Bob’s Burgers squad.

At Lake Stevens’ Bond Field