GRAND JUNCTION – As an athlete, having earned the right to be called an all star, means you’re talented. Unfortunately, when you play against other teams of the same caliber, there will be games in which you run head-first into an outstanding performance by an opponent.

That’s what occurred to the Three Rivers 9-10 “B” team All Stars on Wednesday during the District 1 tournament.

No matter what the Three Rivers players tried against Grand Mesa starting pitcher Ryan Montoya, it didn’t click.

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Montoya mowed down Three Rivers hitters with ease, tossing a complete game, two-hitter in an 11-1 win that eliminated Three Rivers from the tournament with a second loss.

Staked to a three-run lead prior to taking the mound, Montoya was stingy, but wild in the bottom of the first inning.

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Three Rivers’ leadoff hitter, Colter Burk, converted an opening walk into the team’s only run, by stealing second base, then scoring on back-to-back Montoya wild pitches.

The two-run deficit was as close as Three Rivers would get to Grand Mesa.

After a scoreless second inning, Grand Mesa scored seven runs over the next two innings for an insurmountable 10-1 lead.

With a big cushion and no pressure, Montoya became unbeatable.

Three Rivers’ offense consisted of solo base hits in separate innings. Nick Ciani singled in the second, and Treaton Reeds singled to lead off the fourth, but failed to advance beyond second base.

Montoya finished the game with five strikeouts, and also scored three runs.

In other District 1 Tournament Little League games involving Three Rivers teams, the 9-10 year old “A” team played Fruita-Redlands “A” squad in a winners’ bracket contest.

The Three Rivers’ Major Boys 11-12 team was scheduled to play an elimination bracket game.

The results from both games were unavailable at press time.

Three Rivers’ 13-14 team resumes play in the Junior Boys District tournament in Cortez this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. in the semifinals against Grand Mesa.