Valley Little League 10-to-12-year-old teams squared off against the best of the Eastside at the recent Coast Invitational in Snoqualmie.

On Saturday, June 14, both leagues opened with wins. Snoqualmie Valley’s Red Sox used a solid pitching effort from Nick Solomon to post a 3-1 win over the Redmond West A’s. Solomon struck out nine A’s hitters in his performance.

Meanwhile, Fall City’s White Sox got the bats out in a big way as they rolled to a huge 12-3 win over the Issaquah A’s. Fall City’s favorite word on the day was “double,” as at least three hitters picked them up; Mac Smith hit two doubles. Jonathan Hillel and Sam Miller also hit two-baggers. Reid Lutz added a triple to the cause, and Miller pitched a strong game, striking out 11 A’s hitters.

Things did not go as well the following day for the two local teams, as both fell into the loser’s bracket with losses. Fall City’s team did their best, but fell in a slugfest 8-6 to the Bellevue Thunderbird Tigers. Miller and Smith continued their solid offensive efforts; each went two for three. Miller hit two doubles on the day.

It was a much longer day for the Snoqualmie Valley team, as they were routed 20-7 at the hands of the Kirkland American Yankees. Aldin Huschle and Dylan Baker-Jagla each went two for three, but Kirkland’s bats were red hot, as at least five players had three hits apiece.

Both local teams played loser-out games last Tuesday, June 17, and both saw their seasons come to an end with defeats. Fall City’s team fell to the Kirkland National Rockies 5-1, while the Sno-Valley team fell to the Eastlake Angels 11-1. While Baker-Jagle went 2-2 and Huschle had a double, the Red Sox were unable to fend off a strong Angel offensive display.

This tournament was the first of several major tournaments for various age groups in Little League baseball and softball this summer. Both Sno-Valley and Fall City Little Leagues are members of the Washington Little League’s District 9, which comprises all of the Little Leagues from Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Duvall/Carnation and Mercer Island, in addition to the Fall City and Snoqualmie Valley leagues. Centennial Fields will be hosting the Majors Softball tournament for 11 and 12 year old girls starting June 30; this tournament is the first step on the road to the Little League World Series, which is held every year in Portland. Other tournaments featuring local teams will be held all over the Eastside during the month of July.