Nations (Snow Hill) Semifinals: West Raleigh 9U Blue 15, Morehead City 0

This blog, of course, is for breaking news surrounding the West Raleigh 9U Blue baseball team. And on Sunday in Snow Hill, there was some major, major breaking news: Chace didn’t get hit by a pitch. In either game. That means this photo is the only time he’s going to see a banana split (apparently his parents bribe him to dive in front of the ball with ice cream…whatever works) all day:

Despite Chace’s disturbing lack of ability to show off his usual talents, 9U Blue still managed to take a 15-0 win over Morehead City in three innings in the semifinals. For the second straight day against the Mavericks, three different West Raleigh pitchers combined on a three-inning no-hitter.

Meanwhile, the offense—playing as the home team for the only time this weekend—cranked out the 15 runs needed to end the game with nobody out in the bottom of the third.

That was actually the second big accomplishment of the day. The first was when the players and coaches managed to line up in less than a half-hour to take this year’s official team picture:

Semifinal Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce walked, stole second and scored on Gavin’s shot past shortstop. Chace’s double scored Gavin, and then Banks drove in Chace. Brady singled, and then JT’s fielder’s choice put runners at first and second. Jake singled through the infield to score Brady. With two outs, Joey blasted a two-run double. After Elias drew a walk, the runners moved up on a wild pitch. Andrew walked to load the bases, and Asher drove in a pair to complete the scoring.

Score after one inning: WR Blue 9U 8, Morehead City 0

Second inning

Gavin led off the hard way by getting hit by the pitch. He stole second and moved to third on a passed ball, where he was able to tag up and score on a pop fly to the second baseman. Brady started the offense again with a single, then scored on JT’s double. Jake’s outfield shot scored JT.

Score after two innings: WR Blue 9U 11, Morehead City 0

Third inning

Joey led off with a single. Elias walked. A passed ball moved up the runners, and then Andrew’s single drove in Joey. Asher walked, loading the bases. Bryce was hit by a pitch, scoring Elias. Gavin and Chace picked up back to back RBI singles to enact the mercy rule.

Score after three innings: WR Blue 9U 15, Morehead City 0




Pitching Performances

Asher pitched a hitless first.

JT cruised through a hitless second.

Elias closed it out with a hitless third.

Semifinal Web Gems

•    Jake, Asher and Ben teamed up to pick off an overly adventurous runner to end the first.

•    Banks made a nice play going back on a line drive over first base to make the catch and end the second.

•    With a runner on first, Banks charged what looked like a clean base hit to left, came up throwing, and threw a strike to Joey covering second to get the force.

Sunday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Morehead City	0	0	0	X	X	X	0	0
WR 9U Blue	8	3	4	X	X	X	15	11