DOUGLAS – The Torrington majors all-stars team punched its ticket to the Little League Mountain Regional Tournament in California for a second consecutive year when the all-stars captured  its second consecutive state title in Douglas on Saturday, July 27.

Both the Torrington offense and defense brought their A-game to the showdown for the championship against Rock Springs on Saturday morning. A tenacious Torrington offense established a 6-0 lead by the end of the third inning. 

Rock Springs attempted to close the gap in the fourth inning, though its effort was too little, too late. A solid Torrington defense shut out Rock Springs in the fifth and sixth innings while one more run clinched the 7-4 title victory for Torrington.

The tournament weekend opened with Torrington trouncing Rock Springs, 11-1, on Wednesday. Advancing to semifinals against Bridger Valley, Torrington edged its opponent out, 3-1.

“I am extremely proud of these boys and the work they put in to get to this point,” said coach Rob Mortimore. “To watch all the hours, all the ground balls, all the fly balls and all the fundamental work pay off for them is the most exciting part of this. This is a great group of kids who just love playing baseball together and I am excited to see them represent Goshen County and Wyoming on a national stage.”

The mountain regionals take place in San Bernardino, California, from August 3-9, with the opportunity to secure a berth at the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania.

Game one – Rock Springs

Torrington took the initiative early with two runs in the top of the first inning while shutting out Rock Springs in the bottom. Hudson Hoffman hit a grounder and advanced to third base on an error, driving in Patrick Mortimore. A sacrifice grounder by Owen Curry drove in Hoffman.

Both teams scored one run in the second inning, although Torrington remained up, 3-1. Preston Stratton scored Torrington’s second inning run on a  pass ball.

Pulling out all the stops with five runs in the third inning, Torrington pulled ahead. Hoffman set the momentum in the third with a triple for one RBI. Case Gonzalez doubled for one RBI while Curry and Stratton both singled, driving in one run apiece. Caden Ryall sacrificed a grounder for an additional run.

Torrington topped off its win with three additional runs in the top of the fourth. Alarik Leo, Hoffman and Curry each singled for one RBI apiece.

A gritty defense by Torrington prevented Rock Springs from scoring runs for the remainder of the game.

Torrington tallied 13 hits against Rock Springs. Hoffman led offensively with three hits for two RBI. Curry posted two hits for three RBI. Mortimore also recorded three hits while Gonzalez, Stratton, Owen Shimic, Parker Shimic and Leo each contributed one.

On the mound, Stratton opened for Torrington, striking out four. Ryall played relief for one inning.

Game two – Bridger Valley

Torrington found itself ahead, 3-0, with one run apiece in the bottom of the first, second and third innings. A determined Torrington defense shut out Bridger Valley in the first three innings.

In the top of the first inning, Curry fielded two grounders at shortstop while Stratton caught a fly ball. On offense in the bottom of the first, Hoffman reached home plate on a throw.

Mortimore stepped up to the mound in the second inning, striking out two while Ryall fielded a grounder. Taking his turn to bat in the bottom of the second, Parker Shimic ground into a fielder’s choice, driving in Gunner Werning.

Mortimore once again struck out two runners in the top of the third. Ryall fielded a grounder from second base for the third out. Offensively, Curry ground into a fielder’schoice and Mortimore reached home plate.

Bridger Valley managed to score one run in the fourth inning. Torrington’s fielders closed ranks and prevented Bridger Valley from scoring in the fifth and sixth innings. Ryall and Curry pitched relief for Torrington, striking out one and two, respectively, in the fifth inning. Stratton fielded two fly balls in the sixth while Bridger Valley ground out to Hoffman.

Overall, Torrington collected 10 hits against Bridger Valley. Curry set the pace with two hits for two RBI. Hoffman and Werning both posted two hits with one each by Mortimore, Ryall, Patrick Shimic and Tyzik Wunder.

Mortimore pitched three innings for Torrington, striking out four. Ryall and Curry played relief with two strikeouts each.

Championship game

Torrington hit the ground running in the top of the first inning with three runs. A double by Curry drove in Mortimore while Chase Moeller and Curry reached home plate on a triple by Ryall. 

Defensively, Torrington’s fielders shut out Rock Springs in the bottom of the first and second innings. In the first, Ryall fielded two grounders while Curry struck out one. 

In the second inning, Stratton fielded a fly ball at right field. Curry caught a grounder before Rock Springs grounded out to Hoffman at shortstop.

Three more runs by Torrington in the top of the third inning pulled the all-stars ahead, 6-0. Leo and Curry both scored on an error while Moeller sacrificed a grounder to drive in Hoffman.

Three back-to-back outs by Torrington’s fielders in the bottom of the third kept the scoreboard in Torrington’s favor, 6-0. Curry struck out two and Werning fielded a grounder for the third out.

Rock Springs attempted to turn the tables in the fourth inning with four unearned runs, briefly coming within two runs of closing the gap, 6-4.

Torrington’s defense responded in the bottom of the fifth inning with three quick outs. Mortimore struck out two and Rock Springs grounded out to Ryall.

One run by Torrington in the top of the fifth widened Torrington’s lead, 7-4, when a single by Curry drove in Mortimore.

An ironclad defense by Torrington once again prevented Rock Springs from scoring in the top of the sixth inning to clinch the win. Mortimore struck out two and fielded a grounder.

Torrington totaled eight hits against Rock Springs. Curry set the momentum with three hits for three RBI. Mortimore, Hoffman, Gonzalez, Ryall and Werning each contributed one hit.

The dynamic duo of Curry and Mortimore on the mound proved a formidable force. Curry pitched four innings, striking out five with Mortimore in relief for two innings and four strikeouts.