The doubleheader day started with the first-ever meeting against the Razorbacks. It also started with West Raleigh planning to debut the sweet new chrome helmets, which they did in the top of the first...just before the tournament director came over and said that chrome helmets aren't allowed at Top Gun events. This was, of course, a serious problem--because Coach Kevin had to fix his own hair throughout the day rather than using the chromes as a mirror.
The offense produced 10 runs in a game that ended with a 10-0 win after four innings due to the mercy rule, but the real story of the first game was the pitching. Four Blue hurlers combined to limit the Razorbacks to just one hit--a swinging bunt that was perfectly placed down the third base line--and two walks in the shutout. The Razorbacks never advanced a runner to third base.
That's not to say the offense was bad, as 11 different hitters reached base and eight different batters had a hit. But considering how the pitching was going, it wouldn't have taken much offense to win the game.
The win put West Raleigh at 1-0 in pool play in advance of the second half of the doubleheader. It also left just enough time for the first postgame dance party of the year:
Game One Blue scoring plays
First inning
Bryce walked and stole second, then scored on Chace's two-out double.
Score after one-half inning: WR 9U Blue 1, Razorbacks 0
Second inning
Ben drew a leadoff walk and Jake was hit by a pitch. With one out, Asher singled home Ben. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third, and then Joey doubled home a pair. A wild pitch put Joey on third. Brady walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Banks singled home Joey, and then Brady scored on a wild pitch. With Banks at third, JT collected an RBI single.
Score after one and a half innings: WR 9U Blue 7, Razorbacks 0
Third inning
With one out, Chace was hit by a pitch (that might begin to sound familiar). Andrew doubled to center, scoring Chace, and then took third on the throw. Ben's RBI single scored Andrew. With two outs, Elias smacked an RBI triple.
Score after two and a half innings: WR 9U Blue 10, Razorbacks 0
Second inning
Ben drew a leadoff walk and Jake was hit by a pitch. With one out, Asher singled home Ben. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third, and then Joey doubled home a pair. A wild pitch put Joey on third. Brady walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Banks singled home Joey, and then Brady scored on a wild pitch. With Banks at third, JT collected an RBI single.
Score after one and a half innings: WR 9U Blue 7, Razorbacks 0
Third inning
With one out, Chace was hit by a pitch (that might begin to sound familiar). Andrew doubled to center, scoring Chace, and then took third on the throw. Ben's RBI single scored Andrew. With two outs, Elias smacked an RBI triple.
Score after two and a half innings: WR 9U Blue 10, Razorbacks 0
Pitching Performances
Banks started and went 1-2-3.
Jake struck out the side in the second.
Bryce fanned a pair in the third.
Asher buzzed through the middle of the order in the fourth.
- Banks came off the mound in the first to scoop up a bunt down the third base line and made a solid throw to first to retire the hitter.
- There honestly weren't a whole lot of great defensive plays to write about, because seven of the 12 outs were made via strikeout. There was some good hustle by Asher making a diving play on a foul popup when he was playing pitcher, but he didn't make the catch, so he won't get the Golden RV Award.
- Overall, Blue played error-free ball for four innings, which is never bad, no matter how many opportunities you get.
| Game 1 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| WR 9U Blue | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | X | X | 10 | 9 |
| Razorbacks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | 0 | 1 |
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