The Newtown One Eyed Cats had a tough-to-swallow yet encouraging start to play in the Babe Ruth 13-15-year-old World Series play, in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on August 10.

Coach Chris Petersen's Cats faced off against two-time World Series Tri-Valley, Calif., and showed everyone in Tennessee that they are there to play despite losing a heartbreaking game, 4-3.

Dan Mason lined a single on the first pitch of the game, and Trevor Tyrrell followed with a single to left to get the Cats off to a great start. A fielder's choice and error led to Mason scoring the first run of the game.

In the second inning, with Mark Leonardi and James Schumacher on the corners, Newtown pulled off a double steal to make it 2-0.

Tri-Valley threatened a few times in the first couple of innings but Newtown's defense came up big every time, highlighted by a diving catch at second base by Michael Cotton and numerous plays at short stop by Todd Petersen.

The California squad broke through against starter Shea Talbot, who pitched a great game against a very good hitting team. Tri-Valley scored one in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead.

Newtown tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth with a Talbot double down the line scoring Schumacher from first base. Newtown almost scored the lead run in both that inning and in the top of the seventh when the Cats left the bases loaded.

Tri-Valley scored in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with the win.

Talbot went four innings, allowing nine hits, three runs (one unearned), and he struck out three. Mason pitched  2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run.

Talbot, Mason, and Bryan Vander Have each had two hits.

The Cats get back to tourney pool play on Saturday, August 12.