EAST MANATEE — It seemed like Hunter Thomas had no choice except to bunt. The nine-year-old dropped one down to push across a precious insurance run, catapulting Braden River to victory in its opening all-star tournament game.
The 9s-and-10s squad defeated North River American 6-4 in the only District 26 tournament game Saturday at Braden River Park that didn’t have a mercy-rule ending.
“It looked like a changeup,” Thomas said. “It was dropping at my knees, so I got down low and bunted it.”
Braden River (1-0) plated six runs on just four hits, opting for the small-ball approach and cashing in on North River American wildness.
North River American (0-2) pitchers gave up three runs in the second inning on six straight walks and a fielder’s choice.
Despite the early hole, North River American responded with three runs in the third. Thomas Wootten (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) drove in two men with a single. But he was stranded along with two teammates as North River American left the bases juiced.
Then Christian Lowe (2-for-3, double, run) collected the first Braden River hit to open its third inning — after watching its lead shrink to one. Thomas followed two batters later with his bunt hit as Braden River regained a three-run cushion.
“I told them to stay up and to play their defense the way they’re supposed to and to come back with an at bat,” Braden River manager David Kastor said.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Adam Strawderman had to adjust his footwork on the mound throughout the game.
Kastor said that’s because the umpires felt he wasn’t touching the rubber on his delivery.
It didn’t bother the right-hander at first — he allowed one hit over 2 2/3 innings.
He coasted through two frames unscathed, before allowing three straight North River American batters to reach safely. Then he ended his day’s work on the bump with a strikeout.
The tournament hosts rotated pitchers at a frequent rate, which was the team’s strategy the whole game.
“I think Adam went 34 pitches, and the rest we tried to keep under 20,” Kastor said. “Because, we got five games in a row to play next week, so we have to watch our pitchers.”
North River American was stymied again with ducks on the pond in the fifth. Reliever Tommy Hubbard induced a groundout to preserve a three-run lead heading into the last inning.
North River American turned double plays in back-to-back innings to cut down Braden River base runners.
“We’re struggling with our batting right now. . . . Their defense is solid; they’re struggling with their bats,” North River American manager Billy Clark said.
But they got a solo home run off Kwanzi Jackson’s bat. The right-hander launched a shot over the left-field fence with one out in the sixth.
But it wasn’t enough as Kareem Lewis, who started the game behind the plate, finished things for Braden River from the mound when he struck out Wootten.
And with it, Braden River opened its tournament on a winning note.
“Its very important,” Kastor said. “Especially since these boys, they’ve worked hard for 2 1/2 weeks through practice. It feels good, and I think their confidence level is going to be up a little higher.”
Minors Division
MANATEE AMERICAN 15, MANATEE NATIONAL 2 (4) — Collin Moore went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, and A.J. Colagiovanni went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI for Manatee American.
Garrett Richelieu pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win. He also went 1-for-1 with two runs scored.
NORTH RIVER NATIONAL 11, MANATEE CENTRAL 1 (4) — North River National (2-0) beat Manatee Central (1-1). Central’s Tommy Hobbs led his team in hitting by going 1-for-1 with a run.
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