Victorious Marlins The Port Aransas Marlins High School baseball team won the second annual Third Coast Baseball Tournament held Thursday through Saturday, March 4-6. Standing, from left: Assistant Coach Joe Kocurek, Tanner Merrill, Mac Owens, Coltan Marcantel, Dillon Martin, Connor Collins, Alex Groseclose, Christian Collins, Connor Ulch, Nick Benavidez, Fletcher Ray and Zach Ainscough and Coach Bryan Flack. Kneeling, from left: Thomas Winton, Andrew Groseclose, Kevin Sikes and Tyler Pate. Owens, Sikes and Groseclose were named to the all-tournament team. STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS The Port Aransas Marlins fought their way upward through four games of the second annual Third Coast Baseball Tournament here to emerge Saturday on top of the eight participating teams.

The Marlins won the championship game against Ganado on Saturday, 3-0, after blanking Victoria Faith Academy 10-0 and edging Charlotte 8-8 based on having more runners on base. On Friday they advanced to the championship bracket by trouncing Louise, 12-3.

Safe! Zach Ainscough slides into first base, safe, in a game against Victoria Faith Academy during the Third Coast Baseball Tournament hosted by Port Aransas. See story above. STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS In addition, Andrew Groseclose was named the defensive most valuable player of the tournament and Kevin Sikes and Mac Owens were named to the all-tournament team.

The Marlins rode to their first win, against Victoria Faith Academy, on the arms of Groseclose and Christian Collins. Groseclose pitched the first three innings and is credited with the win. He allowed one hit and struck out three batters. Collins pitched one inning, allowing one hit.

Offensively, Dylan Martin went two for three, walking once, batting one run in and scoring three runs himself. Owens went two for three with three RBIs and one run scored; Collins got one hit in two at-bats; Thomas Winton went one for two; Nick Benavidez hit once in three at-bats; and Sikes went one for three.

The Charlotte Trojans traveled nearly 170 miles to the tournament, only to be edged out by Port Aransas in the Marlins’ second game of the day, on a rules technicality.

The teams ended in an 8-8 tie, but because Port Aransas had advanced more runners as far as second base than Charlotte did, the Marlins got the win.

Tyler Pate started on the mound for the Marlins, going 2 2/3 innings and allowing eight runs on three hits. He struck out six and walked four, but hit two batters with pitches. Collins, who pitched the remaining 2 1/3 innings, struck out two and walked one, allowing no runs. Collins got the win.

Groseclose, Benavidez and Martin all went one for three; Groseclose scored two runs and Martin doubled once. Alex Groseclose, Owens and Winton all got one hit in two at-bats, with Groseclose doubling once and walking and Owens and Winton each walking once.

The Louise Hornets traveled 136 miles to get to the tournament. They were downed by the Marlins on Friday, 12-3, and shuffled into the consolation bracket, with Port Aransas scoring the bulk of their runs in the final inning.

Sikes went the distance on the mound for the Marlins, pitching five innings and striking out seven batters. He walked two and allowed three hits.

He was also one of the offensive standouts for Port Aransas, going two for four at-bats and scoring three runs. Zack Ainscough got two hits in three at-bats, including one RBI and two runs scored. Owens hit one for three with two RBIs and one run; Collins was one for two, walking once, batting in one and scoring one run.

Saturday, the Marlins faced the Ganado Indians after both teams had made it to the championship bracket.

Andrew Groseclose went two for three and scored one run, as well as pitching the first five innings. He allowed two hits and one walk, striking out seven. He was credited with the win.

Pate picked up the pitcher’s duties in the sixth inning and finished the game with four strikeouts and two walks, allowing one hit.

Louise, who Port Aransas beat Friday, was bumped into fourth place in the tournament on Saturday by losing to LaPryor, 14-4.

Coach Brian Flack said he was proud of all the players, who won the tournament with only two days of practice.

“They accomplished another first for the program, with winning their first-ever tournament championship,” Flack said.

“We won our games by great defense and pitching, with only three errors in four games,” he added. “Our hitting will come around with more practice time.”

Flack said both coaches and players wanted to thank those who supported the tournament. He said Coastline Adventures, Alister Square Inn, The Retreat Center and Beth Owens all helped players find great deals, as well as offering reduced-price rooms.

Fins Restaurant even put on a tournament special menu, Flack said.

“We had five teams stay down here at least one night. One of the teams had only three of 15 kids who had ever seen salt water. All those kids and their parents loved Port A, and said they were coming back down here this summer,” he reported.

“This tournament is gaining popularity. We had to turn away eight other teams because we were full -- some from as far away as Marfa and north of Longview. All want to bring their kids and families to Port Aransas. Next year, we are going to try to add two more schools.”