by Doug Comer
CORRESPONDENT
(July 9) BRIDGEPORT -- The Bridgeport 9-10 year-old all-stars were heavy hitters in claiming the District 5, Area 1 tournament title Tuesday.
Bridgeport compiled 11 hits en route to 13-3 win over the Clarksburg Centrals in a game shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Bridgeport didn't waste time establishing control, scoring four times in the first inning.
Justin McBee reached on an error and advanced to third on another throwing error. Andrew Ford then singled McBee home. Adam Klenk followed with the big blow of the inning, a double to the fence that scored two more runs.
Bridgeport then added six runs in the third to widen the margin to 10-0.
Starting pitcher Justin Tripplet singled and scored from first on a Klenk triple. During the same play, Klenk reached the plate on a throwing error from the outfield. Five batters later, Ford came through again with a three-run double.
Clarksburg scored two runs in the bottom of the third when Travis Coleman drove a pitch to center field, scoring Cory Morrison and Beau Harman.
Bridgeport then stopped the game early by scoring three runs in the fifth. Klenk's two-run double was the highlight.
Klenk led all hitters by going 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Ford was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and Jeremy Gum added two singles.
Trippett got the win for Bridgeport, surrendering two runs on two hits over three innings. He struck out six.
Bridgeport now travels to Philippi on Thursday where it will play the winner of the Upshur County-Lewis County game.
Clarksburg, on the other hand, has been put in a must-win situation.
The Centrals will play tonight at 6:30 against Taylor County, which rallied to beat Shinnston 8-7 in the first game.