USSSA (Sanford) Game 1: WR 9U Blue 3, Diamond Hawks 10U 1

Officially, the on-field game action began Saturday at 9 a.m. However, photographic evidence suggests that the action might have started on Friday night. Naturally, West Raleigh Blue 9U emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition. Some of the moms decided it would be a fantastic idea to be a positive role model by exhibiting proper hydration techniques on the night before a game:

Of course, that hydration is even more impressive when the next morning’s game is at 9 a.m. With a comet apparently having wiped out several of the local 9U teams, West Raleigh traveled to Sanford for a 10U tournament, which was the first-ever exposure to open bases, meaning taking leads, holding runners and stealing bases. That first experience proved to be a success, as 9U Blue took a 3-1 win over the Diamond Hawks in the full six innings.

Pitching was the story of the day Saturday, as three West Raleigh pitchers combined to allow just two hits while retiring 12 of the last 13 hitters. Limiting the base runners was a very effective way to avoid having to worry about the running game, and 9U Blue actually stole more bases than the Diamond Hawks.

The win put 9U Blue at 1-0 in pool play and set them up for the second half of the doubleheader immediately following the win.

Game 1 Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored on Gavin’s deep double.

Score after one inning: WR Blue 9U 1, Diamond Hawks 10U 0

Third inning

Ben drew a leadoff walk and stole second. With one out, Asher singled. Bryce loaded the bases. JT singled home a run, and then Chace’s two-out walk forced home another run.

Score after three innings: WR Blue 9U 3, Diamond Hawks 10U 1

Pitching Performances

Banks started and threw two scoreless innings.

Elias did not allow a hit in the third.

Asher buzzed through the final three innings with just 21 pitches.

Game 1 Web Gems

•    Joey threw off the mask and made a nice snag of a pop fly behind the plate in the fourth inning.

•    In the fourth, Asher unleashed a nasty pickoff move on an unsuspecting 10-year-old and Banks slapped the tag on him at first. That would be the last baserunner for the Hawks the rest of the afternoon.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Diamond Hawks 10U	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	2
WR 9U Blue	1	0	2	0	0	0	3	5