WASHINGTON — The Babe Ruth District 6 Tournament officially kicked off on Sunday, as the Northside and Chocowinity All-Stars squared off in the first round of the 14U bracket.

After navigating 5th Street to a near perfect season in the Washington Cal Ripken 15U League, Northside’s enthusiastic head coach Kevin Cutler opened up the tournament with a statement win, defeating Chocowinity, 16-4.

With more games on the horizon, Kevin Cutler sent 14-year-old Brantley Cutler to the hill in a limited role, pitching just 2.1 innings.

Northside’s offense garnered enough early run support to back their starter and save his arm for the next round. In the second inning, Dustin Boseman reached on a walk and Braedon Burbage a single. Then, Matt Marslender broke the score open with a two-run double to the gap. From there, Northside knocked in five more runs on an error, two walks and doubles by Tanner Alligood and Parker Boyd.

On the mound, Brantley Cutler faced the minimum through two innings, but began to lose command in the third, hitting Cody Modlin and walking Jarrett O’Neal. After another walk, the starter was pulled for Zach Woolard, who limited the damage to four runs by striking out the final two batters of the inning.

Following a second inning defined by offense, Northside carried the momentum into the third, posting another five runs on four walks, a double by Brantley Cutler and a single from Alligood. By the fourth inning, Bath and Belhaven’s finest had enough to activate the mercy rule, move on to the second round and send Chocowinity to the loser’s bracket.

Alligood finished 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI, while Cutler Brantley ended with two hits. The tournament continues today with the third round of the 14U bracket.