Squirrels drop first two pool-play games at Senior Babe Ruth World Series

The Charleston Fighting Squirrels came up just short in its bid to secure its first victory at the Senior Babe Ruth World Series in Ephrata, Washington, on Saturday night.

San Gabriel Valley, California, overcame a 2-1 deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning on its way to a 3-2 victory against Charleston.

The trouble started for Charleston when No. 9 hitter Alex Briggs, who finished 2 for 3, collected a one-out single in the top of the seventh. Leadoff hitter Kevin Amersquita, who also finished 2 for 3, followed with a one-out walk to put runners at first and second. No. 2 hitter Nick Carino tied the score at 2-2 with a single.

Charleston then elected to walk No. 3 hitter Raul Camas to load the bases with one out. Cleanup hitter Alex Labor followed with a sacrifice fly down the right-field line to give San Gabriel Valley a 3-2 lead.

Chris Butcher, who recorded the final eight outs for San Gabriel Valley, retired all three hitters he faced in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the win.

The Fighting Squirrels moved ahead 2-1 on a two-out two-RBI double by Brad Potts in the bottom of the fifth inning.

A two-out RBI single by Justin Cage plated San Gabriel Valley's first run in the top of the first inning.

Losing pitcher Doug Still threw the final two innings for Charleston. He allowed two runs, two hits, struck out four and walked two.

Cody Payne, a Chaffee graduate, pitched the first five innings for Charleston. He allowed one run on five hits, walked two and struck out two.

Jonathan Hopkins started the game for San Gabriel Valley. He allowed just two hits and one run over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked three.

San Gabriel Valley improved to 3-0 in the American Division Pool with the victory and Charleston dropped to 0-2.

The top three finishers in each five-team pool advance to a six-team single-elimination championship bracket.

Charleston (40-18), which is in fifth place in its pool, takes on the Tri-Township Falcons of Pennsylvania in a must-win game at 5 p.m. today.

California 3 Charleston 2

California 100 000 2 -- 3 7 0

Missouri 000 020 0 -- 2 4 2

WP -- Chris Butcher. LP -- Doug Still. 2B -- Ryan Fortner (M), Brad Potts (M). Multiple hits -- Missouri: Potts 2-3; California: Alex Briggs 2-3. Kevin Amersquita 2-3.

Squirrels fall to host

The Charleston Fighting Squirrels suffered a 5-0 loss to the host Columbia Basin River Dogs of Ephrata, Washington, late Friday night.

Cam Walker, who was selected as the 2014 Class A-B high school player of the year in the state of Washington and has signed to play baseball at Walla Walla Community College, in Walla Walla, Washington, threw a one-hit shutout against Charleston. He struck out seven and walked two in seven innings pitched.

Potts suffered a complete-game loss for Charleston. He allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits. Potts walked two and struck out five in six innings.

Neither team scored in the first three innings.

Jr. Ledgard drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the fourth, and Chandler Gribble followed with a homer to put the River Dogs on top 2-0.

The River Dogs added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Matt Ulrich collected Charleston's only hit on a one-out single in the top of the second inning.

Washington 5, Charleston

Missouri 000 000 0 -- 0 1 2

Washington 000 203 x -- 5 8 0

WP -- Cam Walker. LP -- Brad Potts. HR -- Chandler Gribble (WA). 2B -- Timbo Taylor 2 (W). Multiple hits -- Washington: Taylor 3-3, Matt Sutherland 2-3. Records: Missouri 40-17, Washington 43-14.