The MI Power 11U and 10U baseball teams put on an impressive display of baseball skills in Lynden, Wash., over Memorial Day weekend at the Making Memories Invitational Tournament. Powered by 17 kids from Mercer Island, both teams finished 6-0 in their divisions and brought home first place trophies. The tournament drew more than 50 teams from across the state and Canada in six different age divisions.

The 11U MI Power team, traditionally known for its pitching and defense, brought its bats to Lynden and played its best all-around baseball of the season. The team entered the tournament with a 6-9-1 regular season record in the 11 to 12 age division of Bellevue Pony. The bats came alive early as the team rolled to 16-2, 7-0, 8-0 and 6-3 victories on the first two days in pool play. The final game of pool play was a preview of the eventual championship game. After finishing first in pool play, the MI Power 11U team exploded for a season-high 20 hits and 20 runs against Stanwood in the semifinal game on Monday. In the championship game, MI Power faced a tough team from Ferndale in a rematch from the previous day. On the strength of its pitching, defense and some timely hitting, MI Power jumped to a 5-0 lead early and then held on to win 5-1.

For the tournament, the 11U team batted .463 with 68 hits and 62 runs scored in six games. Six players had eight or more hits apiece to lead a balanced offense. The most memorable facet of the team’s hitting attack was the outstanding display of bunting, as the team manufactured one run after another. The pitching and defense was even more impressive as the team combined to allow only seven runs in six games. In the final five games, the Power pitchers walked only six batters and allowed only 17 hits. The defense committed only three errors over the course of the six-game tournament.

The 10U team (consisting of eight 9-year-olds and only three 10-year-olds), known more for their hitting, did not disappoint and also played their best all-around baseball of the season in Lynden. Entering the tournament on a 13-game winning streak, the team extended its streak to 17 games with four victories in pool play by scores of 7-6, 13-1, 15-3 and 10-8. The semifinal game on Monday was a nail biter as the team squeeked by with a 5-2 victory over the Bellingham Braves. In the championship game, the MI Power team erupted for 13 runs en route to a 13-1 victory over Blaine, the top finisher from the other pool.

For the tournament, the 10U MI Power team batted .470 with 70 hits and 63 runs scored in six games, including 25 extra base hits. The pitching was also very solid, allowing only nine earned runs and 15 hits in 30 innings.