7/1/2007 2:45:00 PM North All-Stars win title, move to state tourney Kingman Little League squad outlasts Havasu in title game
Rob Weiler Miner Sports Writer
KINGMAN - Patience is rarely a trait that defines a group of 9- to 10-year-old boys, especially when a Little League championship is on the line.
But the Kingman North All-Stars had the fortitude necessary to beat Havasu South 17-15 on Friday night at Southside Park and advance to the Arizona State Tournament in Gilbert later this month.
Kingman battled through seven lead changes in the 3-1/2-hour game and withstood a sixth-inning rally from Havasu to claim the title and a 5-0 record in tournament play. League officers also believe it is the first time a Kingman North team from any division has won a District 9 championship.
Kingman's patience showed at the plate. Chomping at the bit to take their cuts against a foursome of Havasu pitchers, the All-Stars laid off often enough to draw 16 walks, four of which came in the fifth inning when Kingman took the lead for good.
"We knew they were down a few pitchers and didn't have much of a bullpen," Kingman coach Bill McCord said. "They were having a tough time with their slower pitchers, and we told them to be patient."
Zeke Brooks had two of Kingman's seven hits, both of which cleared the outfield. He hit a towering three-run home run in the fourth and later hit a one-hopper over the fence for a ground-rule double in the sixth inning, scoring on a RBI single by Breyden Potter to give Kingman an extra-insurance run.
Brooks also pitched the longest of Kingman's four hurlers, going for 3-1/3 innings before handing it over to Austin Tomlinson to get the final out.
"Zeke's been amazing," McCord said. 'We've leaned on him a lot in the tournament. He's not one of our regular pitchers, but he's thrown in almost every game this tournament and thrown well."
Kingman's attempt to get that final out provided as much excitement as the previous 17. With a runner on first, Tomlinson gave up two walks to load the bases, and a Kingman error allowed two Havasu runners to score and the potential winning run to come to the plate. But Matthew Cirre fielded a grounder down the first base line and touched the bag to start the celebration.
Kingman North begins pool play on July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at McQueen Park, with the championship game scheduled for July 31. Individuals or businesses wishing to sponsor the team and help with their expenses can call McCord at 279-2199.
