LITTLE LEAGUE: RTL ROLLS PAST MONTROSE FOR 9-10-11 BASEBALL TITLE (2021-07-10)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
WYALUSING — Early on RTL showed they were the team to beat, and as the 9-10-11 District 15 All-star baseball season went on they got better, and better, ultimately culminating in their 15-0, three inning win over Montrose to take home the title Saturday.

“Hard work, and dedication from the coaches, the kids, and the parents,” was the recipe for success this year, according to coach Ted Gowin. “It feels good to win, and pull it off.”

9-10-11 started about a week after everybody else did in the district, giving them some more practice time that Gowin believes helped his team prepare for the quick season.

“Absolutely, practice is where it’s at,” he said. “That’s what we preach. Practice like you play, and get it done.”

They had three teams to pull from during the regular season to make this group of 12 kids.

“Pulling different personalities, trying to mingle together,” said Gowin. “We came together pretty good.”

They had four different Tinnas on the teams - brothers Eli and Gage, along with cousins Isaac, and Landry - but that’s not usual down in Wyalusing.

“It’s a family unit down here,” said Gowin. “It just goes a long with the tradition we have going down here.”

This is the third time RTL has faced Montrose, and each time they pulled further, and further away from them. They rallied to beat them 19-16 during pool play, then won 11-1 in their first bracket game against them.

Montrose then edged Sayre 14-13 on Friday to get another shot at RTL, but couldn’t hang with them after the grueling victory from the night before.

After a scoreless first inning, RTL was able to push four runs across during the second inning. Then, in the third, they scored 11 to get the 3-inning win.

Wiley Trobaugh and Cameron Cole each had a triple, and a run scored for RTL. It was Trobaugh’s 3-run triple in the third that ended the game.

Landry Tinna had two hits, with a run scored, while Brenden Wells had a hit with three runs. Garrett Gowin had a hit with two runs, while Gage Tinna and Cooper Aukema each had a hit with a run scored.

Eli Tinna scored twice, with Campbell Carr and Greyson Vaow also crossing home, while Isaac Tinna rounded things out with a hit.

Carr got the win in the circle, striking out five in three innings of work.

RTL will now travel to Cressona Little League for Sectional play, beginning on July 16. They face the District 13 Champion at 5:30 p.m.

However, they’re going to enjoy things first.

“We’ll probably just have some fun right now,” said Gowin. “And have the same game plan as normal.”

CUTLINE: RTL players take a victory lap with their 9-10-11 Championship banner…PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING.