West Raleigh claimed a fifth straight area title with a 10-0 win over Deep River in a game shortened to four innings by the run rule. The game began, as all area championship games do, with Coach Sean the other coach singing the national anthem.
11U Blue held just a 4-0 lead after three innings, but Coach Sean carefully explained that he was ready to go home going into the bottom of the fourth. The players, as usual, followed his instructions, and put six runs on the board in style. The last four came via a three-run homer from Chace and a solo homer/dinger/finger from Drew to end it.
But in all the offense, don't forget about the pitching. The West Raleigh pitching staff allowed just two runs over the final 12 innings of area tournament play and seven pitchers combined to post a 2.00 ERA for the event.
The whole night--which included area championships from West Raleigh 7U, 8U, 9U and 12U (10U plays next weekend) was enough to make you want to...well, to make you want to do the stanky leg.
First inning
Gavin walked and stole second, then took third on a throwing error. A wild pitch scored him. Chace walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Drew's single.
Score after one inning: 11U Blue 2, Deep River 0
Second inning
JT doubled and Asher sacrificed him to third. The pitcher was discombobulated by JT and balked him home. Bryce singled, stole second and scored on Gavin's shot through the second baseman.
Score after two innings: 11U Blue 4, Deep River 0
Fourth inning
Ben singled and went all the way to third on a throwing error. JT walked and stole second. A wild pitch scored Ben and moved up JT. More discombobulation and another balk scored JT. Bryce walked. Gavin's bullet went through third. Chace smashed a three-run homer. Drew went walk-off, leaving Banks on deck yet again.
Score after four innings: 11U Blue 10, Deep River 0
Pitching Performances
Fourth inning
Ben singled and went all the way to third on a throwing error. JT walked and stole second. A wild pitch scored Ben and moved up JT. More discombobulation and another balk scored JT. Bryce walked. Gavin's bullet went through third. Chace smashed a three-run homer. Drew went walk-off, leaving Banks on deck yet again.
Score after four innings: 11U Blue 10, Deep River 0
Pitching Performances
Drew fired three one-hit innings to frustrate Deep River yet again.
Banks finished the game with a scoreless fourth, setting up the big six-run bottom of the frame.
Dugout wisdom
There isn't a particular instance of this to cite, but the interplay between Coach Kevin and Elias after every walk, hit batter, or error is hilarious. They try to beat each other to be the first one to say, "We like free bases!" and have to find each other to do it, which is why after one of the five Deep River walks, Coach Kevin was in the dugout asking, "Where's Eli?" He did eventually find his free bases buddy.
Banks finished the game with a scoreless fourth, setting up the big six-run bottom of the frame.
Dugout wisdom
There isn't a particular instance of this to cite, but the interplay between Coach Kevin and Elias after every walk, hit batter, or error is hilarious. They try to beat each other to be the first one to say, "We like free bases!" and have to find each other to do it, which is why after one of the five Deep River walks, Coach Kevin was in the dugout asking, "Where's Eli?" He did eventually find his free bases buddy.
Championship Web Gems
- Great communication between Chace and Drew in the first, as Chace knocked down a hot grounder and Drew dashed over to cover, but Chace called him off and took it himself.
- With a runner on first and Coach Sean gently suggesting, "One! One!" Drew scooped up a bunt and threw a rocket to Gavin at second to get the lead runner in the second.
- 11U Blue again gunned down the lead runner in the fourth, this time with Chace gobbling up another grounder and throwing to Gavin at second.
Championship line score
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
R
|
H
|
New Bern
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
X
|
X
|
0
|
2
|
WR 11U Blue
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
6
|
X
|
X
|
10
|
7
|
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