Despite falling behind 2-0 in the opening inning, The Portage Furniture team became the Major League Champions of the Portage Little League Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Penda scored twice in the top of the opening inning, but Portage Furniture had a pair of five-run innings later in the contest en route to a 11-2 victory at the Bruce Smith Little League Complex.
Penda jumped out to the quick lead against Portage Furniture starting pitcher Patrick Austin with a RBI triple by Grant Fick, who would later score the second run of the frame on a groundout.
From there, it was all Portage Furniture, as Austin held Penda scoreless the rest of the way.
Portage Furniture got one run back in the bottom of the first when Colin Jahn scored on a passed ball. In the third, Portage Furniture took control of the game with its first of two five-run innings. The big inning started with RBI fielder's choice hit by Sam Clemmons, tying the game at 2. From there, Portage Furniture added a run on a bases-loaded walk by Nathan Krumpos, and another run when Sam Harkins was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A RBI fielder's choice by Tyler Brodie made it 5-2 and the inning ended with Krumpos came home on a passed ball.
Leading 6-1, Portage Furniture put the icing on its championship victory in the fifth inning with five more runs. The first two of those runs came home on a hit by Austin. Krumpos added a RBI single and then the final two runs of the frame came home on a hit by Bryce Paul.
In Minor League action, Fredrick Excavating claimed its tournament championship with a 13-10 victory over Culvers.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Members of the Portage Furniture team mob each other on the field after beating Penda 11-2 on Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the Major League Division of the Portage Little League Tournament at the Bruce Smith Little League Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Sam Clemmons, of Portage Furniture, slides into second base and sends the base flying during the Major League championship game on Saturday.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Penda's Grant Fick slides into third base with a triple during the first inning of the Major League championship game on Saturday.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Members of the Fredrick Excavating team track down a groundball that led to the final out of their 13-10 victory over Culvers in the championship game of the Minor League Division Little League Tournament on Saturday in Portage.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Culvers infielder Cody Jahn makes a throw accross the diamond during the Minor League championship game on Saturday.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Jeff Seaman pitches for Culvers in the Minor League championship game on Saturday.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Patrick Austin pitches for Portage Furniture in the Major League championship game on Saturday in Portage.
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Portage Furniture outfielder Sam Clemmons makes a catch during Saturday’s Major League championship game against Penda.