SAGINAW TWP., Mich.---The Negaunee Major Little League All-Stars (age 10-12) opened state tournament play in Saginaw with a win over one of the best programs in the state of Michigan.
Negaunee topped Midland Northeast, 4-1, as Nathan Harvala threw a complete-game one-hitter and Thomas Dix drove in all four runs with a three-run homer and RBI single.
And the Negaunee defense was impeccable, with no errors in the six inning contest. Maddox Halamka made a diving catch in left field in the fourth inning, and then caught a screaming line drive on the next play, And at shortstop, Evan Cardinal was impossible to get one past. He made three tough plays, and six plays overall in the game.
Cardinal and second baseman Gavin Hermes teamed up on a sweet 4-6-3 double play in the second inning to kill a Midland rally. That was an inning when Harvala hit two batters, but got away with it.
Harvala carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He walked Collin Sante to start the inning, and then Midland's Bo Blaylock hit a grounder on the infield that Harvala deflected with his glove. That infield base hit would the the only one of the game for Midland, as Harvala served up three straight ground balls to end the inning.
Harvala then threw a 1-2-3 sixth inning, and Negaunee had a signature victory.
Harvala struck out five batters, and didn't need more than that thanks to the defense behind him. He also smacked a double at the plate, although he eventually was caught in a pickle on a botched squeeze play. Harvala also stole two bases.
Besides that ill-fated squeeze, Negaunee bunted well, with Max Cody putting down a sacrifice bunt in the third inning and Cardinal getting a bunt single in the fourth.
All in all, an almost-perfect game for Negaunee as the state tournament begins.
Negaunee will be back in action Saturday morning against West Branch. First pitch is set for 10:00 and the game will be broadcast on WUPT-FM (100.3 The Point) and on-line at www.radioresultsnetwork.com.
