Last week, when both Mechanicsville National and Atlee’s 11-12 year old Little League baseball team fell into the loser’s bracket of District V Little League tournament, the two faced off to decide who’s season would come to an end. In a give and take game, the biggest hit came from one of the smallest players when Atlee’s Brian Miller drilled what turned out to be the game winning homer in the bottom of the fourth inning to put his team ahead 6-4 from where they held on for a 6-5 win.

Atlee jumped to a big advantage in their first at-bat when Trevor Denton carded a two-RBI double and the lead grew to 3-0 by the end of the inning.

In the bottom of the second, Atlee added another run when Danny Polk, who went 2 for 2 on the night, drove in Tyler Carter to make the score 4-0.

Though trailing, Mechanicsville did not throw in the towel, which was typical of the way they played all season. “They don’t ever quit,” said coach Chuck Boyle. “They come up a little short but they don’t quit.”

In the top of the third, Mechanicsville found the groove against Atlee starter Anthony Zoma when Jeffery Decker and Josh Lane drilled back to back homers over the fence. Later in the inning, catcher Russell Munn, who went 2 for 2 on the night, knotted up the game 4-4 when he hit a 2 RBI double to deep center.

“Russell’s done a good job for us,” Boyle said. “He’s a pretty upbeat kid and he knows how to keep battling in there and he comes up with big swings.”

Yet, with the game knotted, Miller displayed his heroics for Atlee to put them ahead 6-4.

Munn scored in the bottom of the sixth for Mechanicville, but Atlee held on for the win.

Despite the loss, Mechanicville showed that it was a team with talent. Lanky pitcher Matthew Alfonso looks to have the raw talent to develop into a star on the mound. Alfonso, who should eventually reach the six foot range, has a powerful fastball but just needs to develop control. “He’s a pure power pitcher,” Boyle said. “If he grows a little bit more, he’s got the arm strength. He’s going to do nothing but get better.”

As far as the season, Boyle said he was pleased with his team’s efforts. “It’s just a great group of kids,” he said.