Regionals Quarterfinals: WR 9U Blue 10, Okeeheelee 0

Friday's quarterfinals at the Southeast Regional brought a tough task: a matchup against defending 9U Southeast champion Okeeheelee (FL). To make the situation even more difficult, there was no rain in the forecast, meaning the West Raleigh bats would have to come alive without the benefit of the traditional Florida rain delay.

Luckily, Gavin and Elias had a good idea: they broke out the rally caps in the first inning, going with the bandit look:

This resulted in a five-run first inning on the way to a 10-0 victory in four innings. It was a win that had a little bit of everything: ten hits in four innings, Banks and Joey combining on the mound to twirl a two-hitter, and no errors and only one Okeeheelee runner allowed to third base all morning (none over the final three innings).

I know what you are all thinking. "That's all fine, but what was it like in the team van afterwards?" Luckily, we have multiple angles. Here's the shot of the van being loaded in the parking lot, which I'm certain other teams did not at all find obnoxious:


And here's the view from inside the van. The production value and thought that goes into these videos is increasing every day, which means it's really fortunate that the regional ends tomorrow, before we go out and buy a smoke machine and laser light:

The win means West Raleigh will have a rematch against North Brandon in the semifinals. The winner of that game advances immediately to the championship game against the winner of the Manatee (FL)-Glen Allen (VA) game.

Quarterfinal Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce singled on a piddler and went to second on a wild pitch. JT brought him home with a triple, then scored on a wild pitch. With one out, Chace walked, lollygagged to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on Brady's single. Jake singled home Chace, Banks brought home Brady with a single, and then Jake and Banks worked the first and third play to perfection, with Jake racing home.

Score after one inning: WR 9U Blue 5, Okeeheelee 0

Second inning
Bryce and JT worked back to back walks. Gavin's shot through the infield scored Bryce. Gavin raced home when his aggressive baserunning distracted the Okeeheelee infield, allowing him to score on Chace's grounder.
Score after two innings: WR 9U Blue 7, Okeeheelee 0

Third inning
Banks doubled. Asher sacrificed him to third, which turned out to make absolutely no difference at all, because Bryce rocked a triple shortly after the Okeeheelee scorekeeper announced, "This kid can't hit!"
Score after three innings: WR 9U Blue 8, Okeeheelee 0

Fourth inning
Gavin led off with a single. Chace singled and as every alert lollygagger does, took second when Okeeheelee tried unsuccessfully to throw out Gavin at third. Brady loaded the bases, and then Ben crushed a deep drive well over the drawn-in Okeeheelee defense to activate the 10-run rule.
Score after four innings: WR 9U Blue 10, Okeeheelee 0

Pitching Performances
Banks started and allowed just one hit in two innings.

Joey likewise allowed just one hit over the final two innings, including a four-pitch fourth.

Quarterfinal Web Gems

• Okeeheelee decided they wanted to test JT. Okeeheelee made a very bad decision. He charged in and gobbled a pair of bunts down the third base line and threw to first to get both outs--one in the second, another in the fourth. He also made a nice stab from his knees in the second of another grounder to complete the Web Gem hat trick.
• From his pitcher position, Joey somehow managed to corral a wicked line drive back up the middle to end the third.
• Andrew showed good range leading off the fourth, floating over to grab a fly ball near the right field line. 

Friday line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Okeeheelee	0	0	0	0	X	X	0	2
WR 9U Blue	5	2	1	2	X	X	10	10