Whitefish U-11 All-Stars win state tourney
Speak softly and carry a big… glove?
Just ask Joey Walp, who's 10-inch mitt helped seal a state baseball title on Saturday for the Whitefish U-11 All-Stars.
Whitefish held on to a three-run lead in the sixth to take down a strong Helena team, 8-5, and win the Cal Ripken League state championship at the Smith sports park.
The win capped off a weekend of consistent play from Whitefish on both sides of the ball, ending the tourney with four wins and one loss.
The state title earned the All-Stars a ticket to play in the Pacific Northwest regional tournament in Medford, Ore., this week.
"It's just awesome," said Whitefish's coach, Eric May, about the big win. "To be state champions and represent Montana at regionals, it's an experience you can't pass up."
May attributed his team's win to great pitching and timely hitting. The All-Stars scored all eight of their runs during a third-inning rally, and then managed to hold off Helena's hot bats for the final three innings.
The play of the game came in the bottom of the fourth when Walp back-pedaled deep in center field to make an amazing over-the-shoulder catch to stop Helena's rally attempt.
The snag ended the inning, leaving Helena with runners stranded on second and third base.
Walp was named the player of the game for his work in the outfield and on the mound.
Cooper Donahue started Whitefish's big offensive inning in the bottom of the third with a lead-off walk. Jesse Walburn then ripped a single to center to put two on for Luke May. May cracked a base hit to center, scoring Donahue for the team's first run.
AJ Wetsch then hit an infield single that led to three runners crossing the plate. Johnny Sapa kept the inning alive with a single to right and Chris Park hit an RBI-single to center to bring the score to 5-3.
The scoring wasn't over yet. Walp, up to bat for the second time in the inning, helped himself on the mound with an RBI single. His hit scored the inning's final two runs, giving Whitefish an 8-3 lead.
Whitefish buckled down in the field for the remainder of the game, led by key plays in the outfield and strong work on the mound.
Earlier in the day, White-fish fended off Glasgow, 11-1, to earn its right to play in the championship game against Helena.
Walburn had a big game at the plate, knocking a triple in the second inning and bouncing a hit off the 207-foot marker for a double in the third inning. His efforts at the plate earned him the player of the game award.
The All-Stars lineup includes Joey Walp, Cooper Donahue, Logan Freeman, Luke May, Jesse Walburn, AJ Wetsch, Brian Fauntleroy, Chris Park, Cole Turgeon, Johnny Sapa, Dylan Eve, Jed Nagler, Matt LaGrandeur and Lee Walburn.