Ricky West is a big kid for his age. And he hits like it, too

The New Albany 9-10-year-old All-Star warmed up by hitting a couple of towering foul balls before connecting on a three-run home run to put the punctuation mark his team’s 19-3 victory over Silver Creek in Wednesday’s pool-play matchup at Charlestown Little League Park.

New Albany (2-0) actually trailed after two innings before ripping off the game’s last 17 runs, including 13 in the top of the fifth.

“This team seems to have trouble getting started early,” said New Albany coach John Striegel. “We’ll have to do something about that.”

But once the New Albany bats got going, there was little that Silver Creek (0-2) could do.

Down 3-2, New Albany finally got to Silver Creek starter Logan Murphy, although it wasn’t in the conventional way. West hit a sharp line drive directly into the opposing pitcher, who crumpled to the ground. After a short trip to the bench, Murphy surprisingly returned, but promptly gave up singles to West and Cal White.

“I’m not taking anything away from their pitcher,” Striegel said of Murphy. “He pitched a great game. It took us a couple of innings to catch up with him. He’s got a lot of heart.”

Cory Ogden reached on an error that scored New Albany’s tying run. Two batters later, a wild pitch allowed a run to score that gave New Albany a lead it would not lose. Matt Sogge later added a two-run double for a 6-3 advantage.

Silver Creek catcher Bret Aria delivered a deep single to the fence in the fourth, but that represented his team’s only offense until the fifth and final frame.

“I just told them I don’t want to see any heads hanging, because the kids kept fighting,” said Silver Creek coach Chris Aria.

The outcome was still in doubt when the New Albany stars opened the fifth, but it didn’t take long to get out of hand. New Albany batted went through three Silver Creek pitchers, belting hit after hit. That included back-to-back two-run doubles by Ogden and Justin Striegel, followed by a single from Timmy Redford.

After Dylan Chandler drew a walk, an RBI single by Levi Fisher loaded the bases for West.

“He’s one of our leaders,” said Striegel. “He motivates our team and gets us fired up and we use that. He’s got a good glove, and he’s got a good stick, too.”

Earlier, West had fired off a foul ball that cleared the field and landed in the outfield of an adjoining park after just curving out of fair territory. This time he left no doubt, crushing the ball to right-center field for the final New Albany runs.

West also came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth, striking out Ryan Baker before struggling against the next two hitters, ultimately issuing walks.