Going
into Wednesday evening’s pool play game against Atlantic Beach, the North
Florida state champion, it had been 11 days since the West Raleigh bats had
really experienced one of their patented explosions.
That’s
no longer an issue, as 9U Blue used a 10-run third inning to cruise to a 15-4
win in a game shortened to four innings. The game was tight after two, with
Atlantic Beach clawing back from an early 4-1 deficit and trailing just 5-4.
But after a scoreless top of the third, West Raleigh sent 15 hitters to the
plate in the bottom of the inning.
That
was more than enough offense to clinch the victory, which was pulled out in
honor of Elias, who missed the game—and will miss the rest of the
tournament—with a foot injury suffered in his clutch run-scoring slide in theday’s first game.
The
win ensured a slot in the single elimination championship bracket, which begins
on Friday morning. The remaining pool play game, against North Brandon on
Thursday, will determine West Raleigh’s seeding in that bracket.
The
victory set up the day’s highlight: more team van karaoke. This evening’s
selections were Fancy, featuring a disturbingly big kid on the end of the
second row and a very boisterous driver:
And
Pay Phone, featuring some great singing by that big kid on the second row and
some excellent dancing by the West Raleigh 9U groupies:
After
such a vigorous drive back to the hotel, much of the team felt it necessary to
seek out some ice cream:
And
not surprisingly, one particular player needed a little extra sauce:
Tomorrow's only game is a pool play contest against North Brandon at 11.
Game 2 Blue scoring plays
First inning
Bryce
was hit by a pitch and JT walked. Gavin cracked a two-run double. He moved to
third on Chace’s fielder’s choice and scored on Brady’s single. Jake and Banks
walked, and then Chace scored on a wild pitch.
Score after one inning: WR Blue 9U 4, Atlantic Beach 1
Second
inning
Bryce drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a
wild pitch, advanced to third on JT’s fielder’s choice, and scored on Gavin’s
fielder’s choice.
Score after two innings: WR Blue 9U 5, Atlantic Beach 4
Third
inning
Brady singled. Joey dropped down a bunt and
Atlantic Beach threw it into deep right field, scoring Brady and moving Joey to
third. Banks walked and stole second. Andrew walked to load the bases. Asher
singled home Joey. Bryce walked, forcing in a run. After a fielder’s choice
left the bases loaded, Gavin’s shot through the infield scored a run. Chace
cleared the bases with a three-run triple. Brady got it started again with an
RBI double. With two outs, Banks smoked an RBI double, Andrew ripped a single
and Asher powered an RBI single to cap the biggest inning of the regional so
far.
Score after three innings: WR Blue 9U 15, Atlantic
Beach 4
Pitching Performances
Brady
went the first two innings and left with the lead.
Joey
threw a scoreless two innings and struck out a pair.
Game 2 Web Gems
•
Asher and Gavin teamed up to throw out a runner stealing second in the
first.
•
Chace made a nice scoop at first base to preserve an out on an infield
grounder in the third.
•
After a rocky first inning, West Raleigh played three straight
error-free innings to close out the win.
|
Game 2 line score
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
R
|
H
|
|
Atlantic Beach
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
X
|
X
|
4
|
3
|
|
WR 9U Blue
|
4
|
1
|
10
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
15
|
9
|
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