State Tournament Semifinals: WR 11U Blue 9, Deep River 5

In what was definitely the ugliest game of the state tournament, West Raleigh muddled through a 9-5 win over Deep River in the state semifinals on Sunday afternoon.

Perhaps part of the problem was that 11U Blue was facing the team from Sanford for the fourth time in the past eight games. The combined score in the previous three meetings had been 34-6, so maybe the focus wasn't quite there, or maybe Deep River just put together their best performance of the series. Whatever the reason, West Raleigh twice saw its lead trimmed to just one run before immediately stretching it back out.

The victory earned 11U Blue a berth in the state championship game and (don't tell the players!) sealed a bid to the Southeast Regional, where it is not true that it is required by law that the first opponent be Deep River.

Semifinal 11U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce singled and took second on an error. He stole third and scored on a wild pitch. Chace walked and stole second, then third. Drew walked and stole second. A fielder's choice from Banks eventually scored a pair.

Score after one inning: 11U Blue 3, Deep River 0

Third inning

Bryce singled. Gavin doubled. Chace blasted an opposite-field three-run home run.
Score after three innings: 11U Blue 6, Deep River 2

Fourth inning
Colin walked and stole second. Gavin singled and took second on the throw. Chace blasted an opposite-field three-run home run. No, this is not a recording.
Score after two and a half innings: 11U Blue 9, Deep River 5

Pitching Performances

Andrew started and allowed just one earned run.

Asher tossed a perfect third.

Chace got a huge double play ball in the fourth and closed it out with two scoreless frames.

Dugout wisdom
Probably the less said about this one, the better.

Semifinal Web Gems

• Banks made a nice first-inning catch in right field while appearing to work on some sort of Cirque du Soleil routine with Jake, as the duo threw in some nice flips and dives.
• Chace made a superb backhanded stop of a ball near the first base line and then tagged the bag for the out.
• Colin, Gavin and Banks teamed up on a huge inning-ending double play in the fourth. 
• Gavin made a good play on a slow roller to short and did it quickly enough to retire the speedy Deep River leadoff hitter.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Deep River	0	2	0	3	0	0	5	6
WR 11U Blue	3	0	3	3	0	X	9	10