There was a two-fold success story for the Arlington National Little League all-stars during the recent District 4 baseball tournament for the 9-11 age level.
In finishing second in the competition with a 4-2 record, the team displayed its talent on the field. Additionally, manager Brett Cory also was satisfied how the players’ overall camaraderie was a big factor in that success.
Arlington National lost in the championship game to Vienna National, 2-0, after nipping McLean National, 2-1, in the semifinals.
“We had a good run,” Cory said. “Our expectations were to have fun and support each other and create a culture of community. The coaches believed we had a good team with good pitching. This was a very resilient team, and we received a lot of community support.”
A first-inning diving catch in the title game by the Vienna right field likely prevented Arlington from scoring a couple of runs.
In the semifinal, Colin Broome had key leadoff hit, was bunted to second by Maddox Cory, then scored on a long double to centerfield by Luke Guffey for a dramatic walk-off win. Will Chase had the other RBI in the win.
Guffey started on the mound and pithed one inning with Gavin Vaughan pitching the final frames, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out seven.
“Gavin had great composure and with great defense behind him,” Brett Cory said. “It was good team win.”
Arlington National finished 3-1 in pool-play games to win pool A. It defeated Great Falls, 17-2, Reston American, 5-2, and Reston National, 6-1. Arlington lost to McLean American, 1-0.
Dev Kataria had two RBI in the win over Reston National and was the starting pitcher. Callum McLaren had two of the team’s four triples in the tournament. Guffey and Kataria had the other two.
“We got on base when we needed to and we made things happen,” Brett Cory said. “All 12 players contributed.”
Other team members were Fitz Crowder, Jack Dempsey, Tyler Gay, Anders Gick and Peter Sikand.
Stephen Vaughan and Steve Guffey were the coaches.s
NOTE: Brett Cory thanked high-school baseball players Charlie Grovve (Wakefield) and Sean Guffey (Washington-Liberty) for helping out at practices, as well as longtime Arlington Little League all-star coach Glen Swanson.
