For the second straight day, the Spanish Springs 9-year-old All-Stars could not hold on to a lead at the Western Regional

tournament in Panguitch, Utah. The result was a 15-5 five-inning loss to Hawaii.

Spanish Springs was up 3-2 heading into the third inning, but its opponents from Oahu rallied for four runs to grab a 6-3 lead. Hawaii never relinquished the advantage. Spanish Springs did close to within one run at 6-5.

However, it all unraveled in the bottom of the fourth for the Nevada state champs. Hawaii scored six runs and put the game away thanks to Spanish Springs’ defense throwing the ball around. Three more runs in the fifth ended the game early with the 10-run mercy rule.

“We’re just not putting the effort out. I don’t think it has anything to do with the tournament because the teams we’ve lost to aren’t any better than the teams we faced in the state tournament,” Spanish Springs coach Todd Galati said. “We’re just not putting the effort out. It’s a little discouraging, but they’re

9-year-olds. They’re going to have their moments. Unfortunately they’re not having their moments together. They’ll bounce back.”

Anthony Galati earned the player of the game for Spanish Springs after

rapping out two hits and recording a handful of putouts on defense.

Spanish Springs concludes pool play today with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Bingham, Utah.