Braden River falls in junior title game

The Braden River Little League fell to Manatee West 11-9 in the juniors division’s best-of-three championship series of the District 26 Little League All-Star Tournament July 14 at G.T. Bray Park.

Manatee West, who defeated Braden River 8-3 in the first game of the series, took an early 7-2 lead before Braden River pulled within three and eventually tied the game 8-8 in the fourth inning.

Braden River took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on John Graves’ RBI double before Manatee West came back, scoring three runs in the seventh inning.

Cameron Pearcey went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a stolen base  and Kevin Hyson went 2-for-4 with a RBI and two stolen bases to lead the way for Braden River at the plate. Kyle Anderson also went 2-for-4.