LARAMIE – An undefeated 3-0 record by the Torrington Little League majors in the opening games of the Wyoming District No. 2 championships propelled the Torrington all-stars team to the championship game against Laramie on Saturday, July 20.

Torrington and Laramie battled to a 0-0 stalemate in the first inning. Digging deep, Torrington broke the deadlock with two runs in the top of the second inning to take the lead, 2-0. 

A solid Torrington defense shut out Laramie in the second, third and fourth innings. Stepping up to bat in the fifth and sixth inning, Torrington posted one decisive run in both innings to defeat Laramie, 4-0 and snag the district title.

Torrington kicked off the tournament with a 12-2 victory against Gillette in the opening game on July 15. Squaring off against Douglas in the second game, Torrington posted the win, 9-4.

In the third game of bracket play, Torrington soundly defeated Laramie, 11-1. Advancing to the championship game, Torrington found itself taking on Laramie in a rematch after Laramie beat Douglas in a consolation game.

Torrington’s district championship punched the team’s ticket to the Wyoming Little League tournament in Douglas from July 24-27. Torrington opens the championships with a game against Rock Springs on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Game 1 – Gillette

Torrington hit the ground running in the first game of bracket play against Gillette, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning and three more in the third. On defense, Torrington’s fielders shut out Gillette in the first four innings.

Torrington clinched its win by outscoring Gillette, 5-2, in the fifth inning.

Torrington tallied 11 hits against Gillette. Owen Curry led Torrington with three hits for four RBI. Case Gonzalez posted two hits for three RBI. Gunner Werning also collected two hits with one apiece by Patrick Mortimore, Caden Ryall, Preston Stratton and Alarik Leo.

Mortimore started as pitcher for Torrington, striking out seven. Stratton played relief and struck out one.

Game 2 – Douglas

Douglas won the first inning, 2-0. Torrington responded with two runs in the top of the second to tie the game, 2-2. A six-run streak by Torrington in the top of the fourth inning pulled Torrington up, 8-2.

Overall, Torrington collected nine hits against Douglas. Curry, Ryall and Chase Moeller each tallied two hits with one apiece by Mortimore, Gonzalez and Tyzik Wunder.

On the mound, Stratton started as pitcher with Hudson Hoffman and Ryall playing relief. Stratton and Hoffman both struck out three.

Game 3 – Laramie

The first game between Laramie and Torrington reached a 1-1 tie by the end of the second inning. The deadlock continued through a scoreless third inning.

Rallying in the fourth inning, Torrington scored four runs to capture the lead, 5-1. Two more runs by Torrington in the top of the fifth and four in the sixth, coupled with an airtight defense shutting out Laramie, sealed the win for Torrington.

Torrington tallied 18 hits against Laramie. Moeller and Stratton set the pace with three hits apiece. Hoffman, Gonzalez and Ryall collected two each with Mortimore, Curry, Stratton, Werning, Parker Shimic and Leo contributing one.

Mortimore pitched for Torrington, striking out five.

Championship game

Torrington got on the board with two runs in the top of the second inning to secure a 2-0 advantage. Owen Shimic and Werning both scored on an error.

A tenacious defense by Torrington prevented Laramie from scoring in the second, third and fourth innings.

In the second inning, Curry struck out two and fielded a bunt for three outs.

Werning fielded a grounder in the third inning and Owen Shimic caught a fly ball in left field. Laramie lined out to Moeller at first base and picked up its third out.

Torrington’s defense maintained the pressure in the bottom of the fourth inning. Laramie lined out to Moeller for its first out. Curry fielded a grounder and Owen Shimic caught another fly ball.

Torrington’s offense regrouped in the top of the fifth inning, extending its lead to 3-0 with one run when Mortimore singled, driving in Werning. 

Torrington’s fielders prevented Laramie from scoring in the bottom of the fifth as Hoffman, Moeller and Ryall each fielded fly or pop balls.

A single run by Torrington in the top of the sixth cemented the win for Goshen County. Stratton grounded on a fielder’s choice, driving in Moeller.

Torrington posted six hits in the championship game, including two by Ryall and one each from Hoffman, Moeller and Gonzalez.

Curry opened as pitcher for Torrington, striking out four. Ryall played relief, striking out one.