The Astoria 13-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars finished pool play with a 2-1 record at the North Oregon State Tournament in The Dalles following a 13-3, 6-inning victory over Hermiston.
The win was Astoria's second mercy rule triumph in three days and secured at worst a number two seed in Saturday's quarterfinals.
The victory marked the return of Kyle Kelly to the lineup and the Knappa native showed everybody what was missing, going 4-for-4 at the plate and tossing a hitless inning of relief.
One day after four costly errors, Astoria's defense was strong behind winning pitcher Josh Biel of Warrenton, who went the first five innings on the hill, allowing five hits and three runs with four strikeouts.
Astoria's Keelin Cuifici continued his scorching performance at the plate with two more hits, including his third triple of the tournament.
Kyle LuCore, Cuifici and Kelly started the game with consecutive hits and Tony Rudolfi ended it with a 2-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing the ten run lead.
Rudolfi went 2-for-4 at the plate on the day and Chinook resident Austin Wirkkala added three hits in four at bats.
With two pool play games remaining this afternoon and tonight at Quinton Street Ballpark, Astoria appears bound for a matchup against LaGrande-based Union County in Saturday's quarterfinals and a potential rematch against District 1 runner-up Tualatin Hills hills on Sunday if they win tomorrow.
Astoria defeated Tualatin Hills in two games last Friday to secure the District 1 championship, before falling to the Beaverton-based team in an extra game played on Saturday.
