It wasn’t October, but Red was in the hunt.

The Auburn Red Little League team swept through pool play with a 4-0 record, then defeated Manchester West Side, 12-2, to advance to the semifinals of the annual Matty Dobens tournament, hosted by Manchester South.

Though the locals lost their next two contests, 5-0 to Bedford, on Friday, July 25, and 3-2 to Atkinson the next day, they were still smiling following the final pitch.

After all, they finished in the top four of the traditionally competitive 15-team tournament and won the skills competition to boot.

“It turned into a fantastic experience for my team to play against top competition from the area, and it definitely brought out the best in my kids’ abilities,” said manager Ed Mottola. “They were excited to play baseball and were really super through the whole thing.”

Auburn Red won two of four skills competition events and earned a “nice big trophy” for the players’ efforts, said Mottola.

After Chris Widdison won the accuracy challenge by throwing the ball, on one hop, from center field into a barrel at home plate, Anthony Desisto earned the victory in the home run derby by socking a pitch 203 feet.

Against Atkinson, a team Auburn Red beat, 12-11, earlier in the tournament, the boys held a 2-1 advantage until the final inning. The game ended on a bang-bang play at the plate that went against Red. Mike Webber received the game ball for his two RBI singles.

Bill Lorenz and Pete Webber helped Mottola coach the squad, which included Mason Caseres, Dana Bolduc, Mike Decotis, Cam Dube, Rob Daneau, Steve Tewksbury, Chris Pelton, Andrew Lufkin, Connor Lorenz, Matt Webber and Regan Colvin.

“When the playoffs began, we knew we were down to top-six teams,” said Mottola. “And overall, I’d say that it was great for them to see how some of the other top programs play baseball.”