A single, a double and a walk to open the game put the Tritons in a bases-loaded, no-out situation against the Estero Wildcats in the District 4A-11 championship game.

Back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout ended the scoring threat as the Tritons went scoreless in a 10-0 defeat.

“It wasn’t what we expected, but was exactly what we deserved,” said Tritons coach Steve Larsen. “It was an all-out struggle, and when you struggle it puts pressure on teenagers and this is what happens.”

The loss sends the Tritons (20-8) on the road for the Region 4A-3 quarterfinals Tuesday at Barron Collier. The Wildcats host Naples in the quarterfinal round.

After the first-inning scare, Wildcats starting pitcher Matt Pearce settled down and let the offense do what it has done in 25 of 27 games this season – outscore the opponent. The Wildcats (25-2) rolled through the district tournament winning by a combined 28-0.

Leadoff hitter Sam Toops slashed a double to the gap in left-center and immediately scored the game-winning run on an RBI single by designated hitter Tyler Selesky.

Selesky scored the second run of the inning on Ryan Withstandly’s groundout. The Wildcats were in business.

After giving up two hits in the first inning, Pearce limited the Tritons to three hits the rest of the way while striking out seven. The Tritons stranded a total of seven baserunners.

Leading 3-0 heading into the fourth inning, the Wildcats broke away by sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs on four hits while drawing five walks.

The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out. The first of the seven runs scored on a walk, followed by a two-run double down the left field line. That knocked Mariner starter Kevin Cavanagh off the mound, having surrendered six hits, walked three while striking out five.

Walter Cleary relieved and recorded the second out on a groundout. An RBI single and a walk loaded the bases again.

Danny Saez batted for the second time and ripped a two-run single to left. Then, with the bases loaded for the third time in the inning, Anthony Prohaska scored on a wild pitch to make it a 10-0 margin.

After the first two Tritons batters made outs in the top of the fifth, Alex Santana hit a high fly ball toward right field. It dropped between the infielders and outfielder for a double. Cavanagh grounded out to end the game.

“It will be hard to wipe the slate clean after a loss like this, but it is my job to prepare us for the next game,” said Larsen. “We earned the right to be in the playoffs, now we just have to go play it.”

Tyler Bender had two of the Tritons’ five hits, including one of two doubles.

Selesky and Withstandly each had two hits for the Wildcats.

“I don’t think Estero is 10 runs better than us,” said Larsen, “but tonight they were the better team.”

Mariner000 00 – 0 5 1

Estero201 7x – 10 8 1

W – Pearce. L – Cavanagh (4-2).

2B – Bender (M), Santana (M), Toops (E), Withstandly (E).