The Warsaw Little League Major All-Stars beat the rain Wednesday at Boggs Park, but weren't as successful against visiting Osolo.
Playing their second game in the District 14 tournament, Warsaw fell 5-3, coming short on a late rally.
"These are a great group of kids," coach Brandon LaFollette said of the team comprised of 11- and 12-year olds. "They're beginning to understand that baseball is a six-inning game, not four or five. They just turned it on a little too late. You give credit to them for not quitting. We just didn't have quite enough."
A day after scoring six runs in the sixth to down Baugo 8-5, the Warsaw squad once again came up with late runs against Osolo, scoring three in the final two innings.
"We just need to come out and get that momentum change earlier," LaFollette said.
After falling behind 5-0, Warsaw scored its first run in the fifth when Will Petro crossed the plate on an RBI single off the bat of Tyler LaFollette.
Down 5-1 going into the final inning, the Warsaw boys didn't get things go until two outs were recorded on two pitches.
At the plate with two outs, Peter Shepherd reached on a double to left field. With a man at second, Joe Carter brought him home on the only play of the evening that truly looked like a Little League-type of play.
Hitting a groud ball to second, the Osolo defenseman made a great play to scoop it up, but made a late throw to first, which got past the first baseman. Following the error, Carter took off for second, which initiated a quick throw to second, sailing into the outfield, reaching the fence. Once the ball rolled past the outfielders, Carter was on his way home, closing the gap to 5-3, but that would be as close as the home team would get.
The all-star team is comprised of 14 players from the Warsaw Little League's Majors Division, with this team looking to grab a district title for the first time since 2002.
"We have 14 solid kids," LaFollette said. "They are equivalent to a freshman in high school with what me and coach Will Shepherd have taught them. We're strong defensively. We're also good on offense, but it's defense that wins championships."
Against Osolo, Warsaw only committed two errors, backing up relief pitcher Tyler LaFollette, who entered the game in the second inning. During his four innings, Tyler LaFollette only gave up six hits and two earned runs, while striking out five.
At the plate, the aggressive Warsaw batters showed that they like to swing, getting eight hits with the offensive-minded approach.
"You want them to be aggressive, but they kind of need to back off a notch," LaFollette said of the team. "I can't believe I'm saying that."
With the Warsaw batters swinging early and often, Osolo pitcher Jacob Tucker went the distance, striking out five and surrendering one earned run.
"I think that was the best team in the district," LaFollette said of the Osolo team, which hails from northern Elkhart.
In pool play tournament, the team with the best record of the 11 moves on to the sectional at District 11, beginning July 15. Warsaw currently sits at 1-1 going into Monday's 6 p.m. game against Mishawaka, which will also be played at Boggs.
Whether or not the boys win the district, or even another game, LaFollette is aware that Little League is about the fun of the game, not necessarily the hardware won.
"They're having fun and I'm having a lot of fun with them," he said.
Along with the Major All Stars tournament, Warsaw's Junior Baseball, Senior Baseball and 9/10 All Stars also begin play next week.
OSOLO 5, WARSAW 3
W 000 012 - 3 8 2
O 110 30x - 5 7 4
Jacob Tucker (W, 6IP, 8H, 5K, 3R, 1ER) and Kyle Smith; Joe Carter (L, 1IP, 1H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 2HB), Tyler LaFollette (2, 4IP, 6H, 5K, 3R, 2ER) and Peter Shepherd
2B - Dominic Cataldo (O), LaFollette (W), Will Petro (W), Shepherd
