It is a universal rule about baseball and softball that a hot pitcher can dominate a game or a short series.

South Portland American’s 12-year-old softball all-stars came into the final round of the District 6 tournament on fire, but ran into Falmouth pitcher Sarah Collins, who was dynamite.

Collins no-hit SPA Friday, while striking out 16. South Portland did manage to score a few runs, making the most of three walks and four Falmouth errors, but lost, 5-3, to the host team.

“This was absolutely the toughest game of the tournament,” said Falmouth manager Terri Collins, whose team was unbeaten. “They’re very good competitors.”

After beating Scarborough in the opening round of the tournament, SPA suffered a setback with an ugly 11-0 loss to Suburban. Instead of packing it in, the team rallied and won their next five to advance to the finals.

In that streak South Portland averaged about 15 runs per game, while giving up less than four. They eliminated Cape Elizabeth, 15-4, Thursday to set up the showdown the following day with Falmouth, a team they’d have to beat twice in order to advance to states.

“We knew going in that Falmouth was going to be a very tough team to beat once, never mind twice,” said SPA manager Gene Ledue. “We were so looking forward to playing one more game.”

South Portland started the scoring in the second when Abby Flynn reached on a two-base error, stole third and came home on a wild pitch. They went up by three runs when another Flynn fly ball was misplayed in the third, allowing Emily Masters and Olivia Ledue to score.

But from then on, Collins tightened the screws. She set down all but one of the next 12 batters, most via the strikeout.

Meanwhile, Falmouth got its offense in gear. Actually, they’d been hitting right from the first inning, with three singles to start off the game. However, SPA catcher Hayli Mulkern threw out leadoff hitter Michaela Franco when she tried to steal second, and the defense was error-free until the third inning.

In that frame, two errors, a pair of walks and Molly Nevins RBI double resulted in four Falmouth runs. Another in the fifth, on three singles, made the score 5-3.

Ledue pitched well for South Portland, striking out four and walking just two.

“Olivia won three games in this tournament. I’m pretty proud of her,” said her manager – and father. “Falmouth has an explosive offense and we held them to five runs, only two of them earned.”

SPA won a total of six games in the tournament, the most of any team.

“Playing quality games is what you’re after,” the elder Ledue said. “I’m proud of our girls.”

South Portland players Hayli Mulkern, left, and Julia Leighton with coach Jason Edwards after receiving their medals as runners-up in the District 6 12-year-old softball tournament.

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