A promising start quickly fizzled out for the Rye 12U Little League Tournament Team, as they suffered a tough season-ending defeat Wednesday night. Rye lost 9-3 to Eastchester despite having consistent traffic on the basepaths all throughout the contest.
“Our bats just didn’t come alive,” Co-Head Coach Adam Kessner said after the game. “We had bases loaded in five innings.”
Co-Head Coach Jamie Bell was quick to point out a critical turning point in the sixth and final inning, when Rye had baserunners at all three stations and seemed poised for a last-gasp rally. However, they lined into a 5-unassisted double play to third base, effectively sealing the deal. “Just not our day,” Bell said. Rye certainly seemed snakebitten all night with runners aboard.
The 12Us won their first two games in the District 20 tournament, but dropped back-to-back decisions to Harrison and Eastchester in their next two. Their eliminated followed the 11U age group‘s early exit. Rye is the only undefeated team remaining at the 10U division, as that age group looks to clinch a District 20 championsip banner. Their first chance to do so will be Saturday, June 29, at 10:30am at Sherman Park’s field.
Despite the defeat, Kessner made sure to emphasize how coaching this team was an “amazing experience.” It is his last go-around as a Little League coach, as his youngest son Justin is aging out. He and several others are officially saying goodbye to 60 foot basepaths and graduating to a larger field of play for 13U ball.
