VIDEO: Seekonk 11U Little League Team Loses First Game of Sectional Tournament

Seekonk hosted the first game of the 11U sectional tournament on Thursday, looking to improve to 5-0 at home in tournament play and take an inside track to the state championships. After falling 7-3 to Braintree, they will fight an uphill battle to win a second consecutive sectional title.

Things started out decently for the home squad. James Jackson roped the first pitch of the game into center for a base hit, he was walked in later in the inning to put Seekonk up 1-0. Braintree's half of the first was a little stronger.

Four walks courtesy of James Jackson and a pair of doubles by Braintree batters spelled a 3-1 lead after one. In the second inning, with Josh Machado on the bump, Braintree tacked on another run to make it a three run lead.

Matt Bourque gave up two more runs in the fourth, making Braintree earn their runs with four hits in the frame. Terry Smith yielded the final run on a long ball in the fifth inning.

Despite a rough night on the defensive side, Seekonk was still in the game in the top of the sixth, when their first two batters reached base. Down 7-2 when the inning started, Seekonk was able to push John Anghinetti across to cut the deficit to four.

Then manager Kevin Dowty made a crucial error, which may have cost his team the rally and the game. When Shane Smith roped a one out single into the outfield, Dowty waved his son Spencer around to score.

Spencer actually might have beaten the tag at home, but the plate was expertly blocked by Jay Larossa. The play at the plate was an exciting one, but one Dowty would have liked to avoid.

"I will not forgive myself for that. I want it back in the worst way. We're down four runs, he's got to be safe," said Dowty of his decision to send the runner home.

The coach was humbled by his own mistake, but also admitted that there were others throughout the evening. "We walked some kids today, made a couple errors, and it cost us. We gave them some extra outs and that's the story of the game."

Now Seekonk has at least one more game to play. They will travel to Lakeville Little League Friday night, where the players will get a little treat. For most of the Seekonk players, the 7 p.m. start will be their first game ever under the lights.

If Seekonk can win on Friday night, they would face Braintree again on Saturday. That game would be in Braintree, under the lights again, this time at 8 pm. If Seekonk is still alive on Sunday morning, they would have to play Braintree again, venue and time to be determined. That game, if it happens, would be for the sectional title.

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