Tracy Press

Mariners beat the Braves, 5-4, in the 11-12 division Babe Ruth baseball Tournament of Champions.

Braves catcher Brandon Nahm waits for the throw as the Mariners’ Brandon Manchester crosses the plate safe during their 11-12 year olds championship game. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

The Mariners went undefeated in the Babe Ruth Tournament of Champions after their first-place, 16-2 season. They made the most of their pitching, hits and walks today, scoring big in the second inning and again in sixth to hold off the Braves’ efforts to take the lead.

Mariners’ Brandon Manchester (left) gets the force out at second on the Braves’ Luis Pineda during their 11-12 year olds championship game. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

The Braves responded in bottom of the second with hits from Nick Gandall and Brandon Nahm. Austin Smith then hit a shot out to right-center field to score his teammates and make it a 4-2 game.

Braves’ Brennan Bowman pitches in relief against the Mariners. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

The Braves’ Gandall drove the ball into the right field corner for a double in the top of the sixth and came home on a sacrifice grounder from Robert Silva. With two out Smith came up again and batted in Nahm, who had got on base when he was hit by a pitch, before the Mariners pitcher Gerber struck out the last batter.

Ryan Vares makes contact for the Mariners. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

“There was great defense all the way around,” Braves coach Steve Nahm said afterward, adding his players, including Austin Smith, who got the game ball, made the Mariners earn their win.

“That game could have gone either way. Ron has a good team, and he did a good job with them.”

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