Through four innings, it looked like a pitchers’ duel with both sides struggling to make anything happen at the plate.

Then the fifth inning came and both teams started to find their groove, scoring runs in both turns on offense.

By the bottom half of the sixth inning, Atlantic Shore ran away with the game, scoring nine runs to win 12-2 via the mercy rule.

Both teams shared their chances through the first couple of innings, getting a runner in scoring position, but never able to capitalize. It took until the fifth inning for a team to get a base knock with runners in scoring position.

OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman Atlantic Shore, New Jersey second baseman Aidan Ralph throws to first base during Game 10 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Puyallup, Washington on Monday at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.

Puyallup’s Mason Little got the first hit of the fifth, working with one out courtesy of a Will Hickman strikeout.

Little advanced to second on a passed ball and then reached third when Quinncey Ratteray moved him along and reached first thanks to a fielding error by Hickman slipping on the still-wet grass. Hickman made up for the error by striking out the next batter, but Ratteray stole second during the at-bat. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Washington pinch-hit Zach Morris for Drew Nisco and it was the right call as Morris hammered a pitch to left-center field, scoring both runners. Atlantic Shore got out of the inning two batters later with the damage just at 2-0.

In response to the two-run inning by Puyallup, Atlantic Shore did one better by scoring three runs in the bottom half of the fifth. Hickman, John Franchini, Ryan Baldwin, Jake Blum and Colin Thompson all singled as the lead went to the Middle Atlantic champions at 3-2.

It wouldn’t change hands again.

Hickman worked another scoreless inning in the top half of the sixth, then in the bottom half Atlantic Shore ran away with the game, scoring seven runs before registering an out, making it 10-2. Atlantic Shore had five hits in the inning, and also managed to walk five times while two fielding errors also went their way.

After recording two outs in a row, Washington couldn’t stop the bleeding and surrendered the ninth run of the inning to go down via the mercy rule, 12-2.

Atlantic Shore tallied 12 hits in the game, getting stellar performances from Blum who went 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. Aidan Ralph added two more hits with two RBIs to go along with a run scored; Thompson had two hits, a walk and two RBIs while also scoring a run; and Hickman had a hit with two RBIs and scored himself. The right-hander also pitched a complete game, giving up just three hits and four walks while striking out five — coupled with his hitting — landing him the Player of the Game honors for Atlantic Shore.

Washington’s three hits came from Little, Morris and Busby Low. Morris received the Player of the Game honors as he drove in both runs in his one plate appearance. Bradley Dinelt pitched for Washington through the first 4 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks.

Atlantic Shore will look to end round-robin play with a third win in a row, against Southeast champion Tallahassee, Florida.

Puyallup will try and get its first win of the tournament today against Western New York champion North Buffalo.