STOCKTON — The ball did not bounce Northgate’s way Monday, and when it started to Morada right fielder Nathan Brookins was there. 

Brookins made three phenomenal catches in right field with Northgate runners on base – two in one inning – to help lead Morada to a 7-1 semifinal win in the Little League Section 6 All-Star Tournament at Western Little League’s Arnold L. Zurligen Field.

The loss ended Northgate’s season.

“These boys were District 67 champions,” Northgate coach Jeff Abrew said. “We have nothing to hang our head about. 

“We had an incredible all-star run and unfortunately we came up short to a great team.”

Northgate had problems with pitching, yielding nine walks through three innings and some untimely hits as Morada led 5-0 after three innings.

Morada drew three walks in the first inning but could not convert them into a run, With no outs and a runner on first Northgate shortstop Jack Cunial fielded a grounder, stepped on second and threw to first for a double play. 

The only other inning Morada did not score was the fifth when Northgate had another double play. With the bases loaded, third baseman Ivan Vieira got in front of a hard grounder, tapped third and got the ball home to Dylan Lee who got the tag down on Christopher Williams for the double play.

“It was our defense that kept us in the game,” Abrew said. “We had an excellent defensive section tournament. We turned several double plays over the two games and we played outstanding defense the whole tournament.” 

Northgate finally got on the board in the fifth. Lucas Krenz signled to lead off the frame and scored on Tyler Toste’s two-out single.