WASHINGTON — The Little Tarheel District 7 Tournament produced its first champion Tuesday evening after Washington outlasted Edenton-Chowan in the 12U bracket finale.

Prior to the tournament, the Washington 12U All-Stars elected to compete in the “open” bracket, which features larger field dimensions and 14U base running rules. After defeating Dare County in the second round, Washington needed a win against Edenton-Chowan, who the team beat in the first round, to avoid forcing a second game.

Head coach Harvey Case sent starter Logan Hale to the hill to shut down a lengthy 13-man lineup employed by their opponent. After Edenton-Chowan stranded two runners in the first inning, Washington’s nine-man lineup proved too much for starter Jacob Tynch. On the first pitch of the game, Hundley Stallings took a fastball to the ribcage and Benjamin Beach followed with a sharp single to left-center. Three batters later, both Stallings and Beach came around to score on a misplayed fielder’s choice. A double to right-center by Matt Oehrli, singles by Brodie Moore and Robert Pollock and an error at first base plated another four runs to give Washington a quick six-run lead.

Despite some command trouble, Hale and the Washington defense remained consistent, escaping a second-inning jam after Beach, the catcher, gunned down Cary Brobble, who was attempting to steal home.

Hale responded in the bottom half of the frame with a home run to right, giving Washington a commanding 7-0 lead.

But in the fourth, Edenton-Chowan began to chip away. Lane Hardison reached on a walk and Kentreaz Coston followed with a double. Coston eventually came around to score on a groundout.

Washington, again, had an answer, as a single by Beach, error at shortstop and double by Harrison Schmidt put Washington up 9-2 heading into the fifth.

On chopper over Hale’s head, an energetic crowd was suddenly silenced, as Stallings, the first baseman, was hit in the nose on a throw from second. Some blood was shed, but Stallings turned out to be all right. However, Hale would administer three runs in the inning after an error, walk and a couple of sacrifice groundouts.

Beach came on to pitch the top of the six and struck out Haridson on four pitches. Coston walked, but was quickly picked off at first. To end the game, Beach struck out Kyler Holmes, as Washington, the fans and even a bloodied Stallings celebrated their championship.