Last year, the Junior Division at the annual John B. Steele All Star Tournament saw only four home runs for the entire weekend.

This year, the 10-and-under crowd hit a total of 26.

“All the home runs were absolutely amazing for that age group,” said Chris Garth, the Assistant Director of the tournament.

Garth attributed the rise in home runs to a new type of bat called the Easton Mako, which he said can run in upwards of $500.

“It’s the investment in the bats (that’s likely caused the increase),” he said.

Besides all the home runs, Garth said the weekend was a success.

“It was a fun weekend,” he said. “It’s always good to see the kids and the families this time of year.”

In the Junior Division, the South End Youth Athletic Association’s team was victorious, beating Middleboro in two straight games in the finals of the double-elimination tournament by scores of 8-3 and 10-6.

Aiden Cardoza went the distance in the deciding game for the South End and was awarded the “Best Pitcher” title for his efforts.

Matt DeRosa was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. DeRosa’s 14 hits were more than any other player over the weekend. He also hit a pair of home runs, including a three-run blast that broke the Championship game open.

The Dartmouth American team made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament before losing to the Whaling City team by a score of 10-3 Sunday morning.

The team won its first two games with ease before dropping a pair of close contests. Standouts included Jacob Moniz and Noah Mello for their efforts at the plate and the incredible defensive efforts of center fielder Emilio Velasquez and catcher Damien Medeiros.

The National team, which is made up of mostly 9-year-olds, lost both of its games despite keeping both close early.

Dartmouth did not field any teams in the Pony League Division, which was won by the Eastern Mass Warriors, who defeated the Greater New Bedford Pony team in two straight games 14-11 and 14-8.

The Most Valuable Player went to Mason Reed of the Eastern Mass Warriors, and the Batting Champion was Greater New Bedford’s Noah Camacho. The Best Pitcher Award went to Eastern Mass’s Chris Sawyer.

Weekend two of the tournament will kick off this Friday night with the Dartmouth 12-and-under American team playing Tiverton at 6 p.m. and the National team facing off against Whaling City at 8 p.m.

In the 15-and-under division, the Dartmouth National team will play Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Greater New Bedford, and the American team will play the same night at 8 p.m against North Park.