State Tournament Game 2: WR 11U 10, Deep River 0

Some remarkable pitching and defense continued in the second game of the state tournament, as 11U Blue took a 10-0 win over Deep River in a game shortened to five innings by the run rule.

West Raleigh did pound out 14 hits to Deep River's one. But consider these pitching and defense numbers, all of which are as of the end of the 10-run win:

It was the fourth straight shutout for 11U Blue (which Gavin noted right after the game, which of course resulted in West Raleigh allowing a run in the very first inning of the next game, but we're not blaming you Gavin--except for JT. He blames you).

A series of five pitchers had combined on a scoreless inning streak that reached 21 innings.

The 11U Blue defense had not allowed a runner to reach third base in 17 innings, which might be even more amazing than the scoreless streak.

The defense had made just one error in the past 22 innings.

The win moved West Raleigh to 2-0 in pseudo-pool play leading into the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Game 2 11U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Gavin singled and stole second. Chace drove him in with a single.

Score after one inning: 11U Blue 1, Deep River 0

Second inning

JT singled and went to second on a fielder's choice. Asher lined a two-out RBI double, then scored on Bryce's double, who scored on Gavin's double, who scored on Chace's single. 

Score after two innings: 11U Blue 5, Deep River 0

Third inning
Banks singled. Ben was hit by a pitch. Colin singled. JT drew an RBI walk.
Score after three innings: 11U Blue 6, Deep River 0

Fourth inning
Gavin singled, stole second and third, and scored on a throwing error.
Score after four innings: 11U Blue 7, Deep River 0

Fifth inning
Ben singled. Colin singled, moving Ben to third and taking second on the throw. JT doubled home Ben. Elias walked. A wild pitch scored Colin. Asher singled home JT.
Score after five innings: 11U Blue 10, Deep River 0

Pitching Performances

Chace fired three spotless innings and retired five of the final six that he faced.

Asher cleaned up with two scoreless innings, finishing with a pair of strikeouts.

Dugout wisdom
Professor Schneider was at it again in the second, as Blue scored four runs on five hits. "Do you know what we like even more than free bases?" he asked the dugout as the hit parade continued. "Earned bases!"

After Ben was plunked by a pitch in the third inning, he turned to the West Raleigh dugout with a wide smile, which was the same thing he did yesterday after being hit. "You know," JT said, "Ben really brings the joy to being hit by a pitch."

Game 2 Web Gems

• On the fourth pitch of the game, Chace speared a hard shot back to the mound, then threw to first for the out.
• Andrew made a terrific play running in on a shallow liner to center to end the first.
• Leading off the second inning, the cleanup man hit a bullet to right and jogged down to first...only to find out that Asher had already gunned him out from right.
• Not learning their lesson, two batters later, the hitter slapped a would-be single to right, only to find out (say it together, class) that Asher had already gunned him out from right.
• Banks made a nice scoop at first on a low throw in the third.
• Chace bounced off the mound and made a great play ("PFP!" Coach Kevin was heard to giddily exclaim) on a bunt to get the hitter at first.

State game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Deep River	0	0	0	0	0	X	0	1
WR 11U Blue	1	4	1	1	3	X	10	14