Glen Allen's 14-year-old Babe Ruth team made a habit of getting ahead of opponents during the Babe Ruth World Series at RF&P Park.
On Friday, though, Glen Allen fell behind for the first time in the tournament and its rally came up short as it lost 5-4 to Tualatin Hills, Ore., in the championship game.
"My team believed they could win all the way to the end and that's all I asked of them," Glen Allen manager Billy Walker said.
Glen Allen won its first four games of the tournament by jumping out ahead early in games, playing solid defense and capitalizing with runners in scoring position.
Against Oregon, it fell behind 3-0, committed two errors – match its total for the tourney – and didn't take advantage of scoring opportunities with consistency.
"They obviously scouted us well and knew where to play us. That's what the good teams do," Walker said. "They're a good ballclub and they deserve to win."
Down 3-1, things finally went Glen Allen's way in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Trent Kessler got on base after being hit by a pitch. A balk by Oregon pitcher James Armstrong moved Kessler to second. Carter Walker reached on a bunt single, moving Kessler to third. Austin Slough hit a sacrifice fly, knocking in Kessler. After a Matt Kennedy fly-out, Eric Neiman knocked in Walker with a double.
"I'm incredibly proud of my team and how they played," Walker said. "They've worked hard from June until now and they shouldn't be disappointed in how they've played."
The score was tied until the top of the seventh inning, when Grant Galligan of Oregon scored on a wild pitch and Zane Chitwood followed with an RBI single.
Glen Allen came back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Slough flew out to left, but Kennedy singled to center and reached second on a passed ball. Neiman got another RBI with a single to center, scoring Kennedy.
Harrington came to the plate and hit the ball down the left-field line, but it fell foul by about a foot. He fouled out a few pitches later. Winston Frick struck out to end the game.
Matt Orcutt knocked in two runs for Tualatin Hills.
High drama aside, Oregon manager J.J. Berg had nothing but praise for Glen Allen.
"They are a great team," he said. "Wonderfully coached and very talented. They battled all game long. We knew that this game wouldn't be easy."
Harrington and Kessler were named to the All-World Series team. Slough was named to the all-defensive team and was named Most Outstanding Player of the World Series.
Walker had one final thought for his players as they move on from this week of baseball.
"I hope they remember this experience for a long time," he said.
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