Despite a strong start Friday night, the West Alabama team found itself mathematically eliminated after three games of pool play in the Babe Ruth 13U state tournament.

West Alabama, the host team in the bracket, opened the draw with an 11-6 win over Wetumpka Saturday morning.

“We came out and did what we were supposed to do,” head coach Derek Moody said. “We tried to keep their hitters off balance and we started a pitcher that was able to do that with a kid named Kyle Friday.”

Friday got support from the offense Saturday as West Alabama scored six runs in the first inning and scarcely look back en route to the win.

Hayden Hall went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Seth Aiken was 2-for-3 with a run. Friday, Heath Stanford and Wil Stephens each went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Matthew Trest walked three times and scored three runs while Stephen Stewart and Ryan Schroeder each scored a run.

West Alabama followed up that game with a 4-1 loss to Atmore Sunday.

“We just got shut down by a little ol’ lefty pitcher,” Moody said. West Alabama had two hits in the game. Stanford had a single while Schroeder singled and scored. That proved to not be enough to back up a strong outing by Tripp Perry.

“He pitched good enough for us to win,” Moody said. “But when you don’t put any runs on the board, it doesn’t matter how good you pitch.”

WA then fell to Theodore Monday morning after losing a four-run lead. Theodore posted eight in the fourth inning to take control of the game.

Stewart and Stephens weach went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Schroeder, Trest, Friday and Hall each scored a run while Perry scored two runs.

West Alabama rounded out its tournament with an 11-1 win over South Huntsville Monday evening.

“In between games, we know that we were mathematically eliminated,” Moody said. “We wanted the guys who had not played much to get out there and play. I think they learned in that situation that if you willy play relaxed and have fun, good things will happen.”

Stanford worked into the fifth for the win. Schroeder, Wallace Tutt, Alston Dinning and Caden Hannah each scored two run in the game. Stewart and Perry each accounted for a run while Hall went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

“I was the manager of the team, but the two assistant coaches of the could have just as well had the manager title,” Moody said. “We’ve been lucky enough to have the same coaching staff for the last three years for this age group. I think the kids really learned a lot this summer about the game and how it is played on the big field.”