by Kevin Robinson:

The Rocklin Juniors are 2-0 in Western Regional Little League pool play after beating Washington Wednesday, 10-0. Their overall record now in All-Star play is an impressive 15-1.

Carson Wittwer led the way with his arm and his bat. Wittwer pitched all 5 innings (game shortened due to mercy rule), allowing only 2 hits while striking out 5 Washington batters. Wittwer and J.R. Robinson each hit 3-run home runs to lead the offense. Tanner McVey and Wittwer had 2 hits each in the victory.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first, Rocklin started the bottom of the first when Zac Green walked and scored on a Tanner McVey RBI double, After a fly out, Michael Blattel walked to put runners on first and second with 1 out for Wittwer. He hammered a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence to give Rocklin a 4-0 lead. Rocklin added a run in the 2nd inning on a Blattel ground out.

Wittwer held the Washington batters off balance and scoreless, mixing in a curve ball with a potent fastball. Both Washington batters to reach first base on singles were gunned down trying to steal by catcher J.R. Robinson, one in the 2nd inning, the other in the 5th.

Leading 5-0, Rocklin began the bottom of the 5th inning with a walk, followed by a double to the left-center fence by Gordy Gordon. After a strikeout, Wittwer walked load the bases. Grady Allin came in to score on a wild pitch that put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Robinson then crushed a 2-2 fastball to dead center field that cleared the 300-foot fence giving Rocklin a 9-0 advantage. Hayden Hall, Brandon Billings, and Dillon Buban followed with consecutive singles to load the bases for Green. Green then smacked a hard ground ball that the Washington shortstop could not handle to end the game at 10-0.

Rocklin also won their first game, 11-1 agaist Oregon on Monday. Now, they get a much deserved day off on Thursday, and will face Montana on Friday.

Tournament Bracket: http://www.littleleague.org/series/2008divisions/jlbb/qualify/uswest.htm

Rocklin Little League Website: www.RocklinLLB.com