Dylan Walker allowed two runs in the top of the first and was lights out after that. Walker allowed one hit and six walks with 10 strikeouts as R&T Auto Sales be UBER Drivers-CarGo 16-2 in four innings to win the Parks Dept. Pony League Tournament championship on Friday at McLane Park.
Walker struck out the side in the fourth and final inning and including a comebacker, was responsible for 11 of 12 outs.
Lucas Scott's single in the first inning for UBER was the only thing separating Walker from a no-hitter. He and leadoff hitter Jacob Booker scored for UBER.
"He's the best pitcher in the league. We have two of the best catchers in the league and our hitting is phenomenal," R&T coach Ron Bunton said. "To coach a good team, you can have a bunch of good boys to play, but you've got to have the parents who will put in the time in also. I had parents who had them at practices when they were supposed to be. If it was raining it didn't matter. If we had practice they were there and that is why we won the championship."
It is the second title in three years for Bunton, as well as three members of the team who won the Little League tournament two years ago. The group will try its hand in the Babe Ruth League next season.
In the bottom of the first, R&T scored 11 runs with their only out being a strikeout, and had to head back to bench having maxed out their allowable runs per inning.
R&T added another four runs in the second and one in the third as UBER tried three different pitchers.
"All of them come out here and try their best. We deserve to be in the championship and we were, we just didn't give it all we had tonight. But we tried out best and second place is good," UBER coach Matt Lacy said. "It is great to see kids who come out, who have only played 2-3 years, and stay until the end of the season. It shows a lot on our parents, coaches and teammates. Leaps and bounds, every single one of them."
R&T drew seven walks to go with nine hits.
Clean-up hitter Blake Jameson was 2 for 3 with two runs and a home run that he tomahawked to the fence in left. Walker, who hits third, was 2 for 3 with two runs, a triple and a double. Mike Osborn added two hits and a run from the No. 9 spot in the lineup.
"Our first baseman was struggling all year long, and the last two games he shined and dominated," Bunton said. "He saved us two points the last game by getting in front of it. Tonight he got two good hits."