Nottingham's Jake Kostoplis hits a two-run homer in the first inning against HTRBA during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham's Gabe Correa follows through on a swing against HTRBA during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham center fielder Gabe Correa, left, catches the ball as shortstop Jeffrey Iorio, right, slide out of the way against HTRBA during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham first baseman Ayden Peach, left, stretches to catch the ball and force out HTRBA's Shane Perez, right, during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)HTRAB catcher Rhys throws the ball to first base to record an out against Nottingham during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)HTRBA's Colton Flesch watches a pitch go by against Nottingham during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)HTRBA starting pitcher Robbie Bealer delivers to the plate against Nottingham during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham's Evan Rogers bunts the ball against HTRBA during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham starting pitcher Michael Tilton Jr. throws to the plate against HTRBA during a District 12 Little League baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Sunnybrae Little League in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Show Caption of Expand HAMILTON — Mike Tilton brings a calm demeanor to the mound that almost defies his age. Tilton was sharp on the mound and strong at the plate for the Nottingham as the District 12 Little League Tournament got underway at the Sunnybrae complex in Hamilton. Some clouds were looming, but it was a sunny Sunday for the Hamilton Square Gang as it took a 17-2 decision in four innings over HTRBA for a great start to the 12-year old tournament. Nottingham, which is the defending champion, faces Robbinsville on Monday night at 8 p.m. Host Sunnybrae tangles with West Windsor at 6 p.m. HTRBA returns to the field on Tuesday facing the loser of Sunnybrae and West Windsor in an elimination game. “You have to go into the game confident,’’ said Tilton, a 12-year old. “When I walk on the field I know it’s 0-0 and this game I had a lot of faith in my fastball.’’ It was an effective fastball that garnered Tilton seven strikeouts in four innings, no walks and just one hit. The one hit was the highlight of the day for HTRBA as it was a 2-run homer by Derek Palfy. Other than that one hit, it was all Nottingham. The red and blue let it be known early in was excited to get the tournament started as they put up six first inning runs. After a walk to Evan Rogers and a single by Ayden Peach, Tilton sent a ball over the fence in left center for a quick 3-0 lead and neither Nottingham nor Tilton looked back. “When I hit the home run it helped me on the mound, too,’’ said Tilton. “It allows me have more room to work with the batters.’’ Tilton was impressive in every aspect going 3-for-3 with four RBI. “It definitely helps when you come out and score six in the first,’’ said Nottingham manager Colin Kell. “Tilton was awesome on the mound and we have been preaching that we have to use the whole field and we’ll be good.’’ Mike Kostoplis and Gabe Correa also smacked home runs for Nottingham. Peach, Kostoplis and Jeff Iorio all had two hits for the winners and Correa, Kostoplis and Joey Gargione all had two runs batted in. Joe D’Uva, who came in after Tilton, pitched two scoreless innings with four strikeouts for Nottingham. The first one is safely in Nottingham’s corner and Kell knows there’s more work to be done. “We have to have everyone be a good teammate and play for all 11 guys,’’ stated Kell. “We have to catch the baseball and put it in play at the bat.’’ Nottingham 603 8xx – 17 HTRBA 002 0xx  – 2 WP: Tilton. LP: Bealer. 2B: Tilton (N), Iorio (N). HR: Tilton (N), Kostoplis (N), Correa (N), Palfy (H). RBI: Tilton 4 (N), Correa 2 (N), Kostoplis 2 (N), Gargione 2 (N), Rogers (N), Iorio (N), Kostro (N), Bealer 2 (H)