Following two losses to open the BC Little League Major Championships, the The Trail All Stars found themselves in a crucial game against undefeated Highlands on Tuesday in Victoria.
The All Stars led 7-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but the North Shore team exploded for five runs to go on to a 9-8 win.
The All Stars jumped out to a 3-0 advantage early on the strength of a first-inning two-run home run by Koa Wintraub. But, Fenton Ius countered with a two-run homer of his own in the bottom half of the inning, as the Highlands team battled back, scoring four to take the lead.
Trail, however, answered in the top of the fourth when Wintraub picked up his third RBI of the game, by scoring Izack Dawson with a double. Reid Gerrand then singled in Brady Augustin to take back a 5-4 lead for the All Stars.
Trail then added two more in the top of five when Calvin Morrison singled to lead off. After Jake Maniago bounced out on a fielders choice, Landan Uzeloc and Aiden Paterson loaded the bases with consecutive base hits. The All Star’s Connor Stainer then plated two of the runners with a drive up the middle to give Trail a seemingly comfortable 7-4 lead, but once again, Highlands refused to go quietly.
The District 5 team plated five runs in the bottom of the fifth that included a bases clearing double by Austin Goesen-Lindner to take a 9-7 lead and putting the pressure on the All Stars.
Trail rallied scoring one run to cut the lead to 9-8 in the top of six. But with the tying run on third base, the All Stars couldn’t cash it in, and fell to 0-3 in the provincial tournament.
Highlands go to 3-0 after beating Little Mountain in their first match 2-1 on Sunday and followed that up with and 11-1 win over Layritz from Saanich on Monday. Trail dropped its opening match to White Rock, 9-2, and to Little Mountain on Monday, 6-2, and will now have to win their remaining three games if they hope to make the playoff round.
Trail plays New Westminster today at 3 p.m., Beacon Hill at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and Layritz at 3 p.m. on Friday.
