Watauga National hangs

tough in district tourney
Submitted by Watauga County Parks and Recreation

The Watauga National 11/12 year old team defeated Lenoir National 3-2 in extra innings at Boone Optimist field in an International Little League Tournament game. It was a low scoring game with stellar pitching for both teams.

Matthew Lambert was the starting pitcher for Watauga and pitched the Little League maximum of 85 pitches in 5+ innings of work. He faced 23 batters, striking out 11 while surrendering two runs on four hits. Hunter Issacs was Watauga’s closer, striking out four of the six batters he faced and shutting Lenoir down the last two innings.

Jacob Dunn pitched the entire game for Lenoir, striking out seven and giving up only four hits over seven innings of work. Lenoir scored first, with a solo home run by Jacob Dunn in the top of the third. Lenoir’s Spencer Greene singled in the fourth inning and advanced to third on an error by Watauga before stealing home.

Ian Watts got Watauga’s first hit in the bottom of the fourth. He singled, then stole second, third and home to start the comeback for Watauga.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, the last regulation inning in Little League, Hunter Issacs hit a solo home run to tie the score and send the game into extra innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, Matthew Lambert led off for Watauga and beat out a throw to first on a spinner hit to the second baseman.

Colby Illich came in to pinch run for Lambert and advanced to second on a walk by Stedman Sauls, and then to third on a stolen base.

Troy McNeil drove in the winning run for Watauga with a sharply hit single to cap off a well played game by both teams.

Watauga National players are Andy Gilliam, Adam Greene, Colby Illich, Hunter Issacs, Matthew Lambert, Troy McNeil, Clay Mizner, Stedman Sauls, Hunter Shore, Jacob Soule, and Ian Watts.

The next tournament game for Watauga National will be Thursday, July 16 versus Wilkes American and they are one of four teams remaining in the 11/12 year old division of District 7 Little League.