After dispatching their National League counterparts in the first game of this year’s District 73 10/11 All Star Tournament with the help of four homeruns, the Turlock American All Stars beat Atwater back-to-back on Friday and Monday to clinch the District 73 Championship.

Shutting out Atwater 5-0 in their first meeting, the Americans upped the ante with a 14-2 effort in the tournament finale that lasted only four innings.

“We knew going into the game that they were short their ace, he was all pitched out. We were expecting to hit the ball well and the boys did a great job of coming through,” American head coach Kurtis Carr said of Atwater.

“They were happy to win, there was a sense of relief because our goal was to win the district, but at the moment, when it actually happened, the boys were pretty calm,” he added about his players.

Turlock jumped out to a commanding four-run lead in the top of the first inning and notched five more runs in the top of the second. By the end of the third inning the scoreboard read 13-1, but the 10-run rule couldn’t take effect until the end of the fourth inning.

“I think the best part about our offense through this tournament was the contributions that we got up and down the lineup,” Carr said. “Everybody took turns having big moments.”

The two allowed runs was the most all tournament for the Americans who allowed only three runs through three games.

“Our defense was stellar,” Carr said. “It was the difference maker, especially in that second game against Atwater. It was phenomenal.”

Turlock’s Americans now have a 10-day break until their entrance into the Section 6 All Star Tournament which will be held in Valley Spring on July 18. Turlock is slated to play the North Gate All Stars out of Manteca’s District 67 at 1 p.m.