MOUNT VERNON — Joel Trujillo wasn’t supposed to play Thursday, but he and the Burlington Tigers’ 14-year-old Babe Ruth team, are glad he did.
Mourning the death of his grandfather, Trujillo earned game MVP honors and led the Tigers to a 10-4 victory over Wenatchee Valley in the second round of pool play at the Northern State Tournament at Sherman Anderson Field.
Trujillo’s grandfather, Eberto Salinas, died Wednesday night after Burlington’s first game. Trujillo originally was going to sit out, but changed his mind and decided to play Thursday.
“It’s been hard,” Trujillo said. “My grandpa always told me to play hard. I wanted to make him proud.”
Play hard he did. The Tigers’ leadoff hitter did it all. He reached base in all five at bats, had three hits, drove in three runs, scored twice and stole three bases.
He was on base in every inning but the fifth.
“He did everything for us today,” Burlington coach Maury Wright said. “We weren’t even sure he was going to play. He was the spark.”
Trujillo was as aggressive as the rest of the Tigers were patient. Burlington players drew 10 walks, all in the first four innings.
The Tigers scored two runs without a hit in the first inning, and four runs with only one hit, Trujillo’s two-run single, in the fourth.
Wenatchee Valley actually outhit the Tigers 10-7, but Burlington pitchers Sid Livingston and El Davis surrendered walked just one batter.
Davis threw four scoreless innings in relief and allowed just two hits to get the victory.
“He always throws strikes,” Wright said. “Sid was throwing well, but he said he felt alittle stiff. El, you can bring him in any time and he throws strikes.”
Burlington-Edison (20-9) is 2-0 in pool play and in good position to play Sunday.
The top two teams in each pool with play for the championship, with the winner earning a regional berth.
“It wasn’t a thing of beauty, but we did a lot with our hits,” Wright said. “They didn’t have as many opportunities.”
Mount Vernon 8
North Kitsap 0
MOUNT VERNON — Chris McDowell took a no-hitter into the sixth and threw a two-hitter to help carry the Bulldogs to their second victory in pool play.
McDowell had eight strikeouts and a walk.
“He hit his spots and his changeup as working well,” coach Adam McAbee said of McDowell.
Spencer McBride was 3-for-4 with two triples, Vince Mata added a triple and Sean FitzGerald had a double.
FitzGerald, a shortstop, added a diving catch to help preserve the no-hitter.
Mount Vernon is will face Central Kitsap at 5 p.m. today at Sherman Anderson Park.
• Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at
