From left: Harley McKee, Ben Salquist, Kyle Hinds, Jack Stryker, Matt Burns, Ryan Levy, Paul Griessel, Matty Vicencio, Cole Gallagher, Kevin McConnell, coach Justin Hughes; not pictured: Ty Ewing, Devin Shields, Jacob Westphal, Michael Hooper. Photo Garrett Hinds

The USA Nationals 15U team made up of players from Lafayette and Moraga won the All-World Sports 16U Division in Fremont held Aug.17-18. In the championship game against the San Francisco Rascals, pitcher Kyle Hinds went the distance in a gutty 7-inning effort. He allowed just two runs while striking out eight and walking none in a 5-2 win.
Entering the last inning, the Nationals were trailing 1-0 when Cole Gallagher got the inning started with a sharp single to left. Key hits in the inning by Kevin McConnell, Harley McKee and Paul Griessel put the Nats up 5-1. Griessel had four hits with 3 RBIs and Harley McKee added two hits and an RBI.
The tournament win marked the third championship of the summer for the Nationals in four attempts. The team was coached by Acalanes varsity head coach Justin Hughes, who guided the Nats to a 9-3-1 record in the three California tournaments.

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