After being held to no runs in their first pool play game, the Cape Coral American North 9-10 All-Star team went back to work in practice, trying to find some offense. They found it.

Cape North has swung the bats in the past three games – all victories – resulting in 38 runs. They defeated Cape Coral American South 8-1 Sunday at Koza-Saladino Park in the fourth round of pool play in the District 9 Little League All-Star Tournament.

“Since that first game, we’ve gelled as a team,” Cape North manager Troy Abrams said. “It’s exciting to watch these kids play ball right now.”

The five-game pool play schedule began Wednesday. Cape North opened with a 6-0 loss to Fort Myers American. Since then, they’ve reeled off victories over Cape Coral National (12-0), DeSoto (18-2) and Cape South.

The pitching continued to be a strength Sunday. Right-hander Tyler Shuck worked the first inning before reaching 20 pitches. Kory Curtis came in and pitched the majority of the game, finishing with nine strikeouts, and Brice Abrams struck out the final batter of the game on three pitches.

Shuck and Abrams, two of North’s most experienced pitchers, are available for the final pool play game Tuesday against South Fort Myers. It’s a game Cape North must win to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the championship bracket.

South Fort Myers is 4-0, while Fort Myers American and Cape North are 3-1. Head-to-head would be the first tiebreaker followed by the least amount of runs given up per inning.

Abrams realizes the first priority is trying to knock off unbeaten South Fort Myers.

“We know we have to win or we’re going home,” he said.

Cape South (1-3) got off to an inspiring start in pool play, rallying for a 10-4 win over DeSoto. They’ve lost their last three games and won’t advance to the championship bracket, regardless of what happens in their final pool play game.

There were plenty of thrilling plays turned in by both teams Sunday at Tim Hart Field.

After a scoreless first inning, Cape North struck for four runs in the bottom of the second. Shuck led off with a single and scored on an RBI single by Kaya Aydogmus. Preston Siner scored on a passed ball and Andrew Knox slammed a two-run double to the gap in left center, stretching the lead to 4-0.

Cape North had a chance for more, but South shortstop William Sanger fired home to catcher Robert Cobb to retire a runner at the plate.

South scored its run in the top of the third. R.J. Schreiber was hit by a pitch and a North error put runners at the corner. Zachary St. Amand delivered a single to right, scoring Schreiber.

Leading 4-1, North took command with three runs in the bottom of the third. Curtis and Shuck had back-to-back doubles. Aydogmus picked up his second RBI, and Siner, who entered as a pinch runner, scored his second run of the game on a passed ball. Steve Grigiski came through with an RBI single in the fifth, extending North’s lead to 8-1.

South finished with four hits, including a double by Sanger. Pitcher Zachary Crane had five strikeouts, and another sharp defensive play was made by Kaleb Paz. He made a diving grab in right field in the fifth, robbing Bryce Van Horn of a hit with the bases loaded.

Cape Amer. South 001 000 – 1 4 1

Cape Amer. North 043 01X – 8 9 1

W – Kory Curtis. L – Wade Williamson.

2B – Andrew Knox (N), Curtis (N), Tyler Shuck (N), William Sanger (S).

n 10-11: The District 9 Little League 10-11 division completed pool play Saturday.

Hancock defeated Punta Gorda 14-0, improving to 3-0. Cape National cruised to a 12-1 win over Murdock.

Hancock advances to the championship bracket along with South Fort Myers, PC National and Buckingham.

n 11-12: The Little League division begins All-Star Tournament pool play Monday. Cape American North hosts Buckingham, Cape American South hosts South Fort Myers, and Cape National hosts DeSoto.