FULLERTON, Calif. — The Cranberry Township Athletic Association 13-year-olds could have used a breather — but they wouldn't trade in their experience from the past week for anything.

Having captured the PONY East Zone Tournament July 27, the squad qualified for the PONY World Series.

They dropped a 9-1 decision to Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico on Friday, then followed up with an 8-3 loss to Laredo, Texas on Saturday.

"We had to play six games in three days," said Cranberry Township manager Ron Bondo. "We had one day to travel and we had to get up the next morning at 6:30 for the opening game ceremonies."

In the loss to Laredo, Cranberry Township fell behind 4-0 in the first inning before getting one of the runs back in the home half of the frame.

"We'd score a couple, then they'd get one back," said Bondo. "We just couldn't get going."

Joel Shaffer threw the first three innings and allowed five runs. Ryan Donnelly tossed the final four innings and surrendered three runs.

Offensively, Ross Bondo went 3-for-4 while Donnelly and Patrick O'Connor each chipped in with a double.

"I think, for us, it was a combination of being a little bit off hitting and pitching," said Bondo. "We were competitive with these teams."

Laredo was set to play Mexico on Sunday with the loser being eliminated. Mexico had lost to Simi Valley, Calif, which had several players from last year's Little League World Series team.

"What surprised me was that everyone was throwing curveballs," said Bondo. "Everyone had command of their curveballs and we didn't."

Bondo was impressed by the way the PONY tournaments were conducted.

"The PONY league does a great job," said Bondo. "The Fullerton site hosted four different levels (which included regional, zone and national). Everyone was nice and it was an awesome experience."

And, it was something the players will remember as well.

"So many kids got to this point," said Bondo. "To play on those fields is something that will never get taken away from them.

"They were rock stars for a week. It's pretty cool. It'll help their confidence level."