Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Danny Okimura from the carson nationals bunts against Washoe at the Governor's Field Tuesday night during the Nevada District Little League All-Star game. 7/11/06
Down 4-0 to Washoe and its flame-throwing pitcher, Max Heckendon, headed into the sixth and final inning, nobody would have blamed Carson National if it would've conceded defeat.
But the Nationals refused to go away without a fight and, with two outs, had the tying runner on second base and the go-ahead run at the plate.
Heckendon had other ideas, however, and got Drew Moreland to ground out to third and ended the threat and the game, with Washoe hanging on to win, 4-3, in the District 1 Little League 11-12 All-Star Tournament Tuesday at Governor's Field.
Heckendon spread out 11 hits and lost his complete-game shutout bid in the sixth, but struck out 12 batters in a strong performance for defending champion Washoe.
Washoe wasn't the only one with power from the mound, as Carson National countered with Moreland, who allowed less hits than Heckendon - eight - but had slightly less run support in going the distance.
Washoe first baseman and leadoff hitter J.R. Hansen hit Moreland's second pitch of the game over the right-center field fence to give his team a 1-0 in the first inning.
Three innings later, Washoe sent seven batters to the plate and its lead swelled to 3-0 on a pair of RBI-singles by pinch hitters Nick Greco and Brandon Daniels.
It could've been worse for the Nationals, as Washoe still had two runners on base with only one out. But Moreland got Chase Cassani to hit into an infield fly and Michael Brown to fly out to center to keep Carson in it.
Washoe threatened again the following inning and catcher Zack Parkinson belted a one-run double to put his team up 4-0. Third baseman Derek Diehl followed Parkinson with a single to center, but was thrown out at second when Colten Bakios hit into a fielder's choice.
Moreland got center fielder Drew Anderson to ground out to third to end the inning and give the Nationals one last chance to get back into it.
With one down in the sixth, Carson catcher Jace Carlson connected for a single to right and reached second on a throwing error.
Heckendon notched his 12th strikeout, fanning Cody Scarlett and Washoe was an out away from shutting out the Nationals.
Nationals right fielder Ty Welch ended that notion, however, and singled to right, scoring Carlson and narrowing the lead to 4-1.
Left fielder Danny Okimura followed with a high bouncer for a single and Chance Quilling came through with a two-run double to right and suddenly Carson National had a shot at the win.
But Heckendon rose to the challenge against Moreland and Washoe took the victory.
Carson National will return to action today, facing Carson Valley at Governor's Field (Field 2) at 5:30 p.m.