Mill Valley Little Leaguers Rock West Marin

The 12-year-old Mill Valley Little League All-Stars opened the 2010 Disctrict 3 All-Star tournament in the same fashion that they ended the 2009 tournament: with everyone in the lineup hitting the ball hard.

Mill Valley, the defending 10-year-old and 11-year-old district champs, pounded out 13 hits and 15 runs in only three innings on their way to defeating the West Marin All-Stars 15-0 last Sunday at Fairfax's Central Field. The game was shortened to four innings due to the mercy rule.

Mason Collins led the way on the mound, pitching a four-inning shutout, striking out seven, allowing one hit, and no walks. He also helped himself at the plate with a two-run RBI single in the first inning.

Mill Valley struck early and often as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning before blowing the game wide open with an 11-run, 17-batter second inning. First baseman Michael Praszker went 3 for 3, with two runs scored and an RBI and second baseman Josh-Khoo Miller was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs.  Jake Ferm and Bennett Keane each had extra-base hits.

"It was nice to get out of the box with a bang," said coach Ken Praszker. "This is a talented and balanced group of kids. In today's game we had 10 different kids get hits and 10 different runners score. I'm sure we will be involved in some nail-biters in this tournament, but today's victory was fun."

Mill Valley's next game is tonight at Boyle Park against Mill Valley American at Central Field at Bolinas Park in Fairfax.