“The Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars have a Herculean task ahead of them after dropping a 5-0 decision to host North Kitsap Wednesday, in the first game of their state tournament at Poulsbo’s Snider Field. The loss dropped Bainbridge into the loser’s bracket, where they would have to win yesterday, today, twice tomorrow and two more times on Monday to capture the tournament title and advance to the regional tournament in Idaho. North Kitsap’s battery accounted for nearly half the putouts as pitcher Jared Prince threw a three-hitter and struck out seven while catcher Tyler Moyer gunned down two Bainbridge runners trying to steal second. Bainbridge was in trouble right away as North Kitsap loaded the bases in the first inning on a single, double and walk. But centerfielder Schuyler Boone made a diving catch of a sinking soft liner to prevent at least two runs from scoring.Bainbridge had its best scoring opportunity in the third as Kyle Rohl reached on a fielder’s choice, then advanced to third on Adam Knappe’s sacrifice. But he was stranded as the next batter fanned.North opened the scoring in their half of the inning on a single, an error and a double to take a 1-0 lead.They added another in the fourth as Bainbridge left fielder Michael North just missed making a spectacular leaping catch on a ball that rolled to the fence for a double. The runner came around to score on a single an out later.North Kitsap broke the game open with a three-run fifth on a single, sacrifice, single and a homer over the fence in left center between the scoreboard and the 329-foot mark.It was a tough game, said coach Kevin Magraw. They hit the ball and we didn’t.I think we were a little tired, coming in with two day’s rest. And my starting pitcher was at half mast, referring to Michael Ersser’s gametime 104-degree temperature. Ersser’s indisposition forced Nathan Gottlieb, who had pitched in two of three games during the previous weekend’s district tournament, into the starter’s role. Our pitching will get taxed if we stay alive in the tournament, Magraw conceded. But we’re used to playing doubleheaders. We’ll get through if we can throw strikes. “