By ALEX SPONSELLER

The Warwick North Little League 12U All-Star team fell to Chariho 5-3 in the losers bracket of the District 3 tournament, ending their summer run.

North won its first game 12-2 over Exeter-West Greenwich but would fall 4-1 to Westerly to be dropped to the losers bracket.

North rebounded to roll to a 9-1 victory over South Kingstown, but would see its tournament come to a close as Chariho held on for the win on Monday night.

“The hitting wasn’t there and defensively it was a struggle for us. We made it further than we did last year but once you get into that losers bracket, it’s tough. Winning six games straight is challenging,” said North coach Matt Colantonio.

Despite the exit, Colantonio was proud of his club and was impressed with its pitching, especially.

“Kasen Walsh and Alex Ray led us on the mound. They (hit well) also, as did Javier Blanco, John Brown. Those kids really led us on offense,” said Colantonio.

After three years playing for Warwick North, this group of 12’s will be saying bye as they head to the next level of competition.

Colantonio and his staff will miss the group after coaching many of them for the past six seasons.

“It has been bittersweet. These kids are talented and coming out of District 3 whic is the toughest district by far with the number of teams competing. It’s a harder climb. They did everything that we asked them to do. It’s bittersweet. Some of these kids I have been with since they were 6 years old so it’s sad to see them age out of Little League,” Colantonio said.

However, the North staff is excited to see what the future holds for the players and expects them to remain in close touch in the future.

“Working two hours a day, every day, those 11 days were a great experience,” Colantonio said. “These kids are going to be lifelong friends off the field and that’s what it’s all about.”