(July 23, 2015) Despite another deep run into the postseason, the 9-10 Berlin Little League All Stars came up just short in the state tournament, losing 11-5 on Tuesday to close out the season.
The District 8 team, which took home the state title in 2014, kicked off the tournament with an 11-2 win over Conoccheague on Saturday.
Berlin fell 18-7 on Sunday to Thurmont, and then rebounded on Monday with a 16-8 victory over Northwest Washington, D.C.
“We got an early lead [on Monday] and scored eight runs in the first inning,” Coach Craig Lynch said. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted defensively, but ended up holding on for the win.”
Zach Powers and Owen Knerr both hit homeruns during the decisive win.
Lynch said pitching had been a strong point overall, and that Sunday’s score was not a great indication of how the game ultimately unfolded.
“We got down early and we conceded the game basically by putting in some sacrificial lambs for pitching to save some arms for later on in the tournament,” he said. “Our top pitchers Brenner Gursky, Luke Mergott and Zach Powers, when asked to pitch they’ve done exactly what we’ve needed them to do.”
Gursky and Cole Lynch had also sparked the offense, both hitting over .600 during all-star play, and over .700 during the first three games of the state tournament.
Then, on Tuesday, the 9-10 team lost to Conoccheague in a rematch held in Frederick, Md.
“After winning the state last year, everybody was gunning for us,” Lynch said. “Our reputation on the state level is one of a winning tradition. I am proud of the kids for battling hard all week.”
Lynch credited the community for continuing to back Berlin Little League.
“The support from our community has been awesome,” he said. “They helped us with coming [to Frederick] and we fully expect them to support us like they always do in the future. The community is awesome.”
The District 8 team, which took home the state title in 2014, kicked off the tournament with an 11-2 win over Conoccheague on Saturday.
Berlin fell 18-7 on Sunday to Thurmont, and then rebounded on Monday with a 16-8 victory over Northwest Washington, D.C.
“We got an early lead [on Monday] and scored eight runs in the first inning,” Coach Craig Lynch said. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted defensively, but ended up holding on for the win.”
Zach Powers and Owen Knerr both hit homeruns during the decisive win.
Lynch said pitching had been a strong point overall, and that Sunday’s score was not a great indication of how the game ultimately unfolded.
“We got down early and we conceded the game basically by putting in some sacrificial lambs for pitching to save some arms for later on in the tournament,” he said. “Our top pitchers Brenner Gursky, Luke Mergott and Zach Powers, when asked to pitch they’ve done exactly what we’ve needed them to do.”
Gursky and Cole Lynch had also sparked the offense, both hitting over .600 during all-star play, and over .700 during the first three games of the state tournament.
Then, on Tuesday, the 9-10 team lost to Conoccheague in a rematch held in Frederick, Md.
“After winning the state last year, everybody was gunning for us,” Lynch said. “Our reputation on the state level is one of a winning tradition. I am proud of the kids for battling hard all week.”
Lynch credited the community for continuing to back Berlin Little League.
“The support from our community has been awesome,” he said. “They helped us with coming [to Frederick] and we fully expect them to support us like they always do in the future. The community is awesome.”