HAMILTON TWP. — The Hamilton/Fairfield 12-year-old all-stars scored early on their way to an 18-1 win over West Chester/Liberty National on Saturday in the first round of the District 9 Little League tournament at Testerman Park.
Hamilton scored three times in the first and three times in the second to open an early 6-0 lead.
They tacked on two more in the fourth courtesy of a two-run home run by Davaughn Sneed. Sneed went 5-for-5, hitting for the cycle and driving in six runs.
“I felt pretty comfortable at the plate today,” said Sneed, who caught all six innings in the near 90-degree heat. “It got hot behind the plate and I was feeling kind of tired, but I just sucked it up, took the sweat and played the way I know how to play.”
Sneed wasn’t the only Hamilton player to play long ball. Starting pitcher Michael Duncan helped his cause with a one-out, solo home run in the bottom of the second inning.
He pitched 32/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out five batters.
“He threw really well,” Hamilton coach Doug Partlow said. “He had a good change and kept them off balance.
“And we decided we wanted to swing the bats today,” he continued. “We kept our eye on the ball and really stroked it.”
Hamilton pounded 19 hits off five West Chester pitchers.
“Their hitting was the difference,” West Chester coach Rob Vanmeter said. “I don’t know if we shake off a loss like this. We just have to move on and make sure we don’t quit.
“This was not a good start to the tournament. We need to come back tomorrow ready to play and somehow figure out how to get our bats going.”
Ethan Quimby was the only West Chester player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Justin Vanmeter scored the only run.
In addition to Sneed’s performance, Hamilton contributors included Josh Partlow (3-5, three runs), Shayne Rice (2-5, two runs, two RBIs), Drew O’Donnell (2-5, run, RBI), Payton Adams (2-2, run, RBI) and Duncan (2-4, two runs, three RBIs).
The Hamilton/Fairfield squad returns to face Hamilton West Side at 2 p.m. today, while West Chester/Liberty National gets back to action at 5 p.m. today against Miami.
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