LARAMIE – The Torrington Little League minors’ all-stars team battled its way back from the consolation bracket to place second at the Wyoming District No. 2 tournament and qualify for state in the process.

The action opened with Torrington coming up short against Laramie, 25-15, in the opening game of bracket play. 

Finding itself in the consolation bracket, Torrington rallied to overwhelm Rawlins in a high-scoring game, 33-0.

Torrington found redemption against Laramie in the next game, defeating its opponent in a match that came down to the wire, 9-7.

Torrington advanced to the semifinals against Gillette with Torrington scoring an 11-1 victory.

Progressing to the championship game against Douglas, Torrington ultimately came up short, 12-0.

The state tournament in Douglas begins with Torrington playing Rock Springs on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Game 1 – Laramie

Torrington secured an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A six-run streak in the bottom of the second widened Torrington’s advantage, 8-2. 

Laramie began to turn the tables with four runs in the bottom of the third. Laramie moved into the lead and took control of the game with 11 runs in the fourth inning.

Overall, Torrington tallied 14 hits against Laramie. Reed Curry and Jax Bruch set the pace with three hits apiece. Colin Matthews and Jacob Hibben both posted two hits with one each by Colby Childs, Keaton Wilkie, Zachary Hackbarth and Macoy Baker.

Curry started as pitcher for Torrington, striking out two. Bruch, Hackbarth, Baker, Hibben and Cason Carlson played relief.

Game 2 – Rawlins

Torrington clinched the win in the high-scoring game with 17 runs in the bottom of the first inning and 16 in the second. A tenacious Torrington defense shut out Rawlins from scoring throughout the game.

Torrington posted 22 hits against Rawlins, led by Childs with four hits for five RBI. Bruch and Wilkie both tallied three hits for three RBI. Hibben, David Windham and Baker each totaled two hits for two RBI. Matthews collected four RBI while Hibben, Hackbarth, Windham and Brant Bower each contributed two RBI. Carlson added one hit to the tally.

On the mound, Wilkie pitched three innings, striking out seven.

Game 3 – Laramie

Regrouping from the first game, Torrington rallied to defeat Laramie in the rematch.

Torrington won the first inning, 2-0. Laramie edged up with one run in the top of the second. 

An ironclad Torrington defense shut out Laramie in the top of the third while the Torrington offense collected five runs in the bottom.

Laramie managed to score one run in the top of the fourth. Torrington answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to remain ahead, 9-2. 

Laramie attempted to close the gap with five runs in the top of the sixth. Refusing to yield, Torrington’s fielders shut out Laramie in the top of the sixth.

Torrington collected nine hits against Laramie. Wilkie led with two hits for four RBI. Childs tallied two hits for two RBI. Curry also posted two hits with one apiece by Matthews, Bruch and Baker.

Bruch started as pitcher for Torrington, striking out five. Hibben played relief.

Game 4 – Gillette

Torrington hit the ground running after a scoreless first inning to shut out Gillette in the top of the second and score eight runs in the bottom.

One run by Torrington in the bottom of the third and two in the fourth clinched Torrington’s victory.

Overall, Torrington tallied nine hits. Curry set the pace with two hits for two RBI. Matthews, Bruch, Hibben, Carlson, Windham, Baker and Benton Foos each contributed one hit.

On the mound, Hibben pitched for Torrington, striking out three.