Montesano Little League teams compete at district, state tournaments

Montesano Little League capped a successful 2019 season by sending multiple teams to their respective district and state tournaments.

Here’s a quick rundown of each team and how it performed in the playoffs.

Montesano 8-10 falls to Northeastern Seattle 11-1

Montesano’s 8-10 team saw its season come to an end after suffering a 11-1 in loss to Northeastern Seattle in a state tournament elimination game last Thursday.

Monte had a rough first inning, surrendering six runs in the frame. Max Peterson scored the only run for the Bulldogs when he came around to score after Anderson Potts worked a walk in the second inning.

The loss to Northeastern Seattle was the team’s second loss of the double-elimination tournament with the first loss coming against the Sammamish 19-0 on July 7.

Monte bounced back after the lopsided loss with a close 7-5 win over Hazel Dell the next night.

Damon Bird and Peter Bruland had a pair of RBI each in the victory that allowed Monte to stave off elimination for another day.

Monte completed its state tournament run with a record of 2-2 and seventh-place finish.

Montesano’s Damon Bird hurls a pitch during the Little League state tournament on Saturday. (Photo by Larry Bale)

Montesano’s Damon Bird hurls a pitch during the Little League state tournament on Saturday. (Photo by Larry Bale)

Montesano Juniors beat Alcora, fall to North Central

Montesano’s 13-14 year-old team had its season ended in the second round of the consolation bracket with a 11-2 loss to North Central.

North Central jumped out to an early lead with eight runs in the opening frame.

Offense was limited for Monte with Tyler Johansen the lone Bulldog with two hits. Trey Sweeney and John Griffin III had an RBI each in the loss.

Prior to the season-ending loss, Monte looked strong against Alcora.

Johansen had a big day at the plate, driving four RBI as part of Monte’s 9-1 route over Alcora on Saturday.

Johansen belted a triple in the third inning that drove in Daylon Schroeder to expand Monte’s lead to 3-0 at the time.

Johansen’s bat struck again in the fourth inning when his single to left field drove in Schroeder and Christian Olsen to push the lead to 7-0.

Monte also benefited from some strong pitching performances. Camden Taylor got the start on the hill and pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts while surrendering one hit.

Skylar Bove picked up the baton from there and pitched another 3 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

Montesano Majors fall in district title game

Montesano’s 10-12 year-old team couldn’t muster enough offense on Saturday, falling 8-2 to Larch Mountain in the district championship game.

Had Monte come away victorious, they would have qualified for the state Little League state tournament, starting July 20 in Richland.

Montesano kept its season alive on Friday with a 3-1 win over Centralia before being eliminated on Saturday.

Montesano 9-11 team eliminated at state tournament

Montesano had trouble getting its offense going in the state tournament and was eliminated by losses to Camas on Friday and Issaquah on Monday at the Little League State Tournament.

Camas handed Monte an 11-4 loss in the first round of the tournament before the Bulldogs dropped their elimination game 10-4 in the consolation bracket to Issaquah.

Monte entered the tournament with momentum after pulling out a close 11-10 victory over Chehalis in the district championship game. Montesano’s Terek Gunter led the way offensively with 3 RBI to help send his team to state. Kolson Hendricksen also scored two runs in the victory.

Montesano’s Max Peterson, middle, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run in the 8-10 year-old Little League State Tournament on Saturday. (Photo by Larry Bale)

Montesano’s Max Peterson, middle, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run in the 8-10 year-old Little League State Tournament on Saturday. (Photo by Larry Bale)