West Side wins another title

11-2 victory gives program its 26th straight District 9 tournament

Hamilton West Side second baseman Zach Evans flips the ball from his glove to the shortstop for the force against Hamilton/Fairfield baserunner Davaughn Sneed during the championship game of the District 9 Little League tournament at Testerman Park in Maineville on Sunday. For more photos from the game,
visit Journal-News.com/sports. Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard

Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard Hamilton West Side second baseman Zach Evans flips the ball from his glove to the shortstop for the force against Hamilton/Fairfield baserunner Davaughn Sneed during the championship game of the District 9 Little League tournament at Testerman Park in Maineville on Sunday. For more photos from the game, visit Journal-News.com/sports. Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard

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Photos: District 9 Little League tourney

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer Updated 7:17 AM Monday, July 18, 2011

HAMILTON TWP. — The Hamilton West Side Little League team’s string of consecutive no-hit innings came to a quick — and long — end Sunday afternoon in the District 9 tournament at Testerman Park.

Hamilton/Fairfield leadoff batter Davaughn Sneed hit the first pitch he saw from Korren Thompson way over the fence in left-center field for a quick 1-0 lead.

But Thompson answered that blast with a three-run shot of his own in the bottom of the first, helping send West Side to an 11-2 victory and the tournament championship for the 26th year in a row.

“You never want to see a first-pitch home run, but the kids were talking about (the no-hit streak) before the game and as soon as he hit that it was over and done with and out the door,” said West Side coach Josh Sams, whose team had yet to allow a hit in three tournament games, a span of 14 innings.

“I was proud of the way he came back from that and shut them down,” Sams added.

Thompson surrendered another solo shot to Sneed to lead off the third inning before retiring 12 of the final 15 he faced for a complete-game three-hitter.

“The three no-hitters really had me pumped, and I thought I had a chance to throw a fourth,” Thompson said. “I think I went out there a little too eager. I lost a little confidence after that first homer, but my team picked me up.”

Thompson, who started the string of no-hitters against Hamilton/Fairfield in the first round, struck out eight and walked two in the championship game.

“He overwhelmed us the first time, but the kids wanted another crack at Thompson and they were fighting him off this time,” said Mark Bauman, who was serving as Hamilton/Fairfield coach in the absence of Doug Partlow, who missed Sunday’s game for religious regions.

After losing the opening-round game, Hamilton/Fairfield won five games in six days — four by run rule — to earn another shot at West Side.

“This was a solid bunch,” Bauman said. “I feel like we’re one of the better teams in the state, we just won’t get a chance to prove our mettle.”

West Side will open state play at 4 p.m. Saturday against the District 10 champion. The state champion advances to the Great Lakes Regional in Indianapolis, and the team that wins that tournament goes to the Little League World Series.

In addition to Thompson, West Side got offensive support from Jake Pennington (2-for-3, two home runs, three RBIs, two runs), Shaun Brandenburg (1-for-3, double, run), Austin Broshear (2-for-3, home run, two RBIs, two runs), Ryan Kellum (2-for-2, home run, two RBIs), Vince Sanford (2-for-2, RBI, two runs), Christian Acus (double, RBI) and Zach Evans (1-for-3, run).

Jared Berger had the other hit for Hamilton/Fairfield.

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