Things were not looking good for Canyon Lake only four batters into its game Friday.

Sturgis' Kody Kracht, Tanner Sumption and Jason Schneider loaded the bases. Ben Walker then hit a grand slam to put Canyon Lake in a 4-0 hole.

"We were a bit tense in the first inning," said Canyon Lake head coach Steve Nolan, who added that 12 of his kids were playing in their first all-star game.

But Canyon Lake and pitcher Lincoln Fiest - who had 11 strikeouts in the contest - settled down to come back in the game and win 9-5 in their first game at the North Dakota/South Dakota District 1 Little League Tournament at Red Pesek Field.

Down 5-3 at the start of the fifth inning, Canyon Lake got things going to tie the game. A T.J. Nolan hit allowed Connor Haaland to cross home plate. Sam Musch then ran home after a wild pitch.

Canyon Lake then took control in the fifth inning.

Feist hit a single and then stole second base. Brennan Udager was subsequently walked before Sturgis brought in Walker to pitch. Two batters later, Nick Speck hit a towering three-run home run to center field.

"The three-run home run was huge for us," Steve Nolan said. "Our boys relaxed a bit, and that three-run home run gave us a cushion."

In the next at-bat, Ian Reuter hit a home run to left field to complete the scoring.

"I was impressed by the way we battled," Steve Nolan said. "I thought (Sturgis') starting pitcher did a great job, and they also swung the bat well. I give them a lot of credit."

Canyon Lake will play Rushmore Little League at 3 p.m. Sunday in its second and final game of pool play.

Timberline downed Bandit Ball 14-0 in the other game on the day.