The big inning played a key role for the Sierra Foothills Little League’s 11-year-old All-Star team in its District 11 Tournament opener against Grass Valley Tuesday evening in Penn Valley.

Hanging up a big 11-spot in the top of the fourth inning, the SFLL All-Stars went on to post a 26-11 first round win over their Nevada County foes to advance to Saturday’s Area II winner’s bracket quarter-final round.

Sierra Foothills will now meet the winner of last night’s Bear River-Newcastle game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley.

Tuesday’s SFLL-Grass Valley game was a see-saw affair as the lead changed hands three times before the count was tied at 9-9 at the end of three frames.

However, sparked by Taylor Avila’s triple, RBI hits by Ryan Hallman and Jake Buoal and a bases loaded three RBI double by Greg Painter, SFLL posted its 11-run frame to take a 20-9 advantage.

Grass Valley tried to rally back with a pair of runs in the fifth inning but the Colfax-based SFLL squad then put the game away by plating six more runs in their next at-bat.

Painter finished the game with a pair of doubles and six runs batted in while Tommy Tye, Mason Lewis, Blake Rawlings and Alex Nevarez all added important run scoring hits.

Hallman gained the pitching win with a strong effort in the fourth and fifth innings. On defense it was Tye at shortstop and Buol at second base turning in the solid glove work.