The Barrington 12U Majors Division All-Star team capped an improbable run through the District II tournament with a pair of wins over Pineview in the finals on Saturday and Sunday.

The two victories earned Barrington the District II title and an invitation to the state tournament, which starts on Saturday in East Greenwich. Barrington will open against Chariho at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Barrington actually started the District II tournament with a tough, 11-5 loss to Bristol. The defeat dropped Barrington into the elimination bracket, but the local team showed impressive resolve by reeling off seven straight victories.

"The kids were tremendous," said Barrington 12U Manager Chris Promades. "They have a never say die attitude. They just battled."

Barrington's first win came against Portsmouth, 3-1, and the second was a lopsided victory over Newport, 13-0. Barrington continued to roll with a 4-1 win over Rumford and a key 3-0 victory over Tiverton on Tuesday, July 9. Barrington squared off against Riverside in an elimination bracket final — the local team won, 9-5, and punched its ticket to the District II finals against previously undefeated Pineview, which had played just three games en route to the finals.

On Saturday night, Barrington traveled to Pawtucket to face Pineview, and fell behind 2-1 early but a towering home run by James Caldarella jump-started Barrington's offense. 

"He hit a shot," said Mr. Promades. "He crushed it." 

Meanwhile, Barrington's Owen Pfeffer pitched very well.

"He was dealing. He was on fire," said Mr. Promades. "He was putting everything into every pitch."

Barrington regained the lead and never looked back, winning 9-5 and forcing a winner-takes-all District II final at Sherwood Field on Sunday night.

"We definitely thought we had the momentum," said Mr. Promades. 

Alex Anderson took the mound for Barrington in Sunday's final and kept Pineview hitters off-balance. Barrington's offense, led by Owen Pfeffer, Cullen Crain and Lucas Tanous, built a 2-0 lead in the second inning and expanded it to 4-0 later in the game.

Pineview threatened on a couple of occasions, but Barrington's defense came up with some key plays and rolled to a 4-1 victory.

"It was awesome," said Mr. Promades. "We're just so happy for the kids. No one has prepared more than these kids."

Barrington will return to a familiar field for the state championship tournament. Many of the boys on this year's 12U team were members of Barrington's 10U team that won the state title playing at the same East Greenwich baseball complex two years ago. 

"I think our experience, having been here before, can only help us," said Mr. Promades. 

11U All-Stars headed to states

The Barrington 11U All-Star team won three straight games and captured the District II championship last week. 

Barrington opened the tournament with a 7-1 win over Pineview and then defeated Bristol, 10-0, in the second round. Bristol battled out of the elimination bracket to get a second shot at Barrington, but the local team proved too strong again, defeating Bristol 11-1.

"I think we're consistent from top to bottom," said Barrington 11U Manager Scott Carroll. "We don't depend on just one kid."

Nate Coutant pitched well for Barrington throughout the district tournament, as did Jack Marley. Barrington's offense was also impressive — in the two wins over Bristol, Barrington exploded for 14 hits in each game. In the final, Barrington's Samson Montour went 4-for-4 at the plate; Montour and Santino Giuffrida each drove in two runs also.

"I think our offense is better than it was last year. We hit the ball really well," said Mr. Carroll.

The manager said his team's success in the state tournament, however, will depend on its defense. 

Barrington will play against the District III entry, North Kingstown/Wickford, in the first round of the state tournament. That game is set for Saturday, July 20, at 1:30 p.m. at Deerfield Park in Smithfield. 

Mr. Carroll said his team has worked very hard during the postseason.

"They're just a hard-working group that likes to have fun," he said. "They play as a team. They're probably underrated. They're overlooked. We definitely use that as motivation."

Junior All-Stars lose

The Barrington Junior Division All-Star team battled out of the elimination bracket to reach the District II finals on Saturday, July 13. 

Barrington lost its opening round game to Tiverton, 5-0, on July 1, but rebounded with a 12-0 victory over East Providence in its first game in the elimination bracket.

Barrington then traveled to Pawtucket on Wednesday, July 10, to face a tough Pineview team in a must-win scenario. Barrington took a 1-0 lead early in the game, but Pineview regained the lead 2-1 in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Pineview threatened to blow the game open, but Barrington turned a double-play to kill the rally and end the inning. Barrington then tied the game an inning later, 2-2, and regained the lead for good, 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Barrington traveled to Pawtucket two nights later to play Darlington in an elimination bracket final on Friday, July 12. Barrington rolled to a 10-0 victory, capitalizing on a strong pitching performance by Will McConaghy and stellar defense by Trevor Snow, Gabe Tanous, Mitchell Ivatts, Ryan Machado and Quinn Murphy.

Barrington traveled to Tiverton on Saturday for the District II finals, but struggled to score runs and lost 5-1. 

9-10 All-Stars

The Barrington 9-10 All-Star team lost to Portsmouth 12-6 in a District II tournament game on Tuesday night, July 9, in Portsmouth, but battled back to get a second shot at Portsmouth. After defeating Pineview, 1-0, Barrington then hosted Portsmouth and celebrated a 17-10 victory. The win forced a final matchup, which Portsmouth won in a close game, 7-6. 

Ron Silva Tournament

Barrington's entry into the Ron Silva Tournament defeated Tiverton 11-1 in an elimination bracket game, but then lost to Rumford 6-1 in the next round.