Top Gun NC State Games Quarterfinal: WR 11U Blue 11, Carolina Raiders 12U 1

Sunday began with West Raleigh 11U Blue standing on the hill at Thomas Brooks watching their 12U brethren win their 8:30 game:

Then, when they got their own chance to play, 11U Blue scored nine of its 11 runs with two outs on the way to an 11-1 victory over the 12U Carolina Raiders. 

The big blows came in a six-run second inning that broke the game open and all happened after there were two outs and nobody on. From there, though, 11U Blue smacked three extra-base hits in the frame, culminating with Drew's thunderous smash into the trees in center.

That was more than enough offense to support a pair of pitchers who allowed just four hits against the third-seeded Raiders. The win advanced 11U Blue to a semifinal game against GBI Express Blue.

Quarterfinal 11U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Gavin reached on a shot past shortstop and stole second. Chace singled him home. Chace stole third, then scored on Drew's single. Banks singled, took second on the throw, and scored on Andrew's single. 

Score after one-half inning: 11U Blue 3, Raiders 0

Second inning

Asher lined a two-out double. Bryce walked. Gavin doubled home a pair. Chace walked, and then Drew demolished a three-run homer that went past the temporary fence, the permanent fence, and every fence in Wake County. Banks walked, stole second and scored on Andrew's single.

Score after one and a half innings: 11U Blue 9, Raiders 0

Third inning
Jake walked, stole second, then went to third on a throwing error and scored on Colin's fielder's choice.
Score after two and a half innings: 11U Blue 10, Raiders 0

Fourth inning
Bryce walked and stole second. He went to third on a fielder's choice and scored on Drew's single.
Score after three and a half innings: 11U Blue 11, Raiders 1

Pitching Performances

Drew started and gave up just three hits in three innings.

Colin finished it off with a lightning quick four-pitch fourth inning.

Dugout wisdom
After Drew powered another three-run homer, Chace announced, "That's illuminati confirmed. Drew hit a three-run homer yesterday with Gavin and I on base, and he did it again today."

But Professor Schneider quickly corrected Chace's terminology. "That's not illuminati confirmed," Andrew said. "It's ironic." Alanis Morrisette would be proud. 

Quarterfinal Web Gems

• Andrew made a running backhand catch in center field for the first out of the second inning.
• With a runner on second in the third inning, Asher blocked a pitch in the dirt, then picked it up and fired to Colin at third to get the runner trying to advance.

Quarterfinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 11U Blue	3	6	1	1	X	X	11	10
Carolina Raiders	0	0	1	0	X	X	1	4