McKinleyville 12s shut out Chico in Section tournament opener

By barstoolfanatics on July 14, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

Photo courtesy of McKinleyville Little League – Cabella Carper and Carson Hicks both hit home runs in McKinkeyville’s 7-0 victory in Yuba City on Thursday night.

Hudson Kapko continued to impress on the mound and Carson Hicks and Cabella Carper each hit a home run, as the McKinleyville 12-year-old All-Stars got the Section tournament off to a winning start on Thursday.

Playing in Yuba City, the Mack All-Stars defeated Chico Eastside 7-0.

Fondly know as “The Huddy Badger,” Kapko got out of an early jam to throw five shutout innings for the victory.

Chico loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning, but Kapko and his defense refused to panic and retired the next three batters to end the threat.

That would set the tone for the remainder of the game, and Kapko and his defense did not allow a base runner on for the next three innings.

His defense helped with a pair double plays and Kapko allowed just three hits and three walks in five innings, while striking out six.

The Mack offense gave him plenty of support, most notably with a solo home run by Hicks in the top of the fifth and a two-run blast by Carper in the sixth.

The hard-hitting Carper also had a double and finished the game 2-for-3, while teammate Blake Carper also made some noise at the plate and finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.

Everett Gruetzmacher also was 2-for-2, while the patient Hicks added two walks.

Tyson Marshall also had a base hit to round out an eight-hit team performance, while Breyden Brock added a sac fly and an RBI, Kapko had a walk and an RBI and scored a run, Jude Scher scored a run and Brylon Smith had a walk.

Brock pitched one inning in relief to seal the shutout victory.

The McKinleyville 12s will continue tournament play on Saturday when they take on the winner of Friday’s Susanville and Peach Bowl game at 5 p.m.