South Hill derails National teams

By Tim Clinton

Just like the Houston Astros have done little but get in the Seattle Mariners' way since their arrival in the American League West, South Hill of Puyallup has gotten in the way of Federal Way National teams in District 10 Little League.

Three National teams -- one baseball and two softball -- were knocked into the loser's bracket by South Hill on Sunday before they were eliminated by other teams Monday.

The following is a rundown of this week's District 10 action for National:

Major baseball

National got the Majors baseball tournament for ages 10-12 started off on the right foot by blanking Chinook, 13-0, Saturday.

But it was a different story as National went up against South Hill on Sunday as the Federal Way team went down to a 16-3 defeat.

Bonney Lake/Sumner ended any state or World Series hopes National may have had by a 15-4 margin on Monday.

National was managed by Rich Hernandez and the All-Star players were Alex Blue, Clayton Dutcher, Rico Hernandez, Jake Holley, Teegan Holley, Andy Hwang, Carson Idler, Braden Jolley, Mark Ogorodnik, Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo, Rudy Rogers and Reuben Whiten Jr.

Minor softball

National's age 8-10 girls fastpitch team opened the tournament Saturday by outslugging Soundview, 23-11.

But South Hill blasted National by a 21-4 score Sunday morning before Kent slipped by Federal Way, 14-9, on Monday.

Mike Krahner managed the National Minors team.

Players were Leah Anderson, Carson Chandler, Hailey Hay, Alexia Heavner, Ann Kindell, Cheyenne Mendoza, Sofia Munoz, Chloe Radmacher, Lydia Sathre, Josephine Vang, Valentine Vue and Ally Wechhorst.

Age 11 softball

In the three team age 9-11 softball tournament National received a first round bye and was seeded directly into the winner's bracket final.

But Federal Way wound up facing South Hill there on Sunday and took a 14-6 defeat.

Bonney Lake/Sumner ousted National in the loser's bracket final the next day, 14-4.

Lori Muhlhauser managed the Federal Way 11's.

Players for National were Juliet Allen, Olivia Foster, Tempi Fulcher, Nellie Jokinen, Brylie Jones, Niyah Moore, Layla Noel, Samantha Salas, Lillian Schwalb, Claire Smalley, Miranda Stray and Olivia Tromp.