8U District Championship Game

6PM Sunday evening and the West Raleigh 8U Blues arrive at the Factory to learn that the 7U Blues had defeated the North Wake 8U Thunder 17-7, placing them in the semi final game against the North Wake 8U Knights. The 7U's would end up in third place out of 11 teams in the 8U District tournament losing to the North Wake Knights 13-0.

This meant it would be a rematch of yesterdays game against the North Wake 8U Knights and the West Raleigh 8U Blues for the District Championship.

West Raleigh would be the first to the plate in the first inning:

#32 Timothy leads off the first inning with a hard grounder that gets by the first basemen for a single.
#98 Blake hits a hard ball back to the short stop who has trouble holding on to it, one he gets a hold of it he makes a bad throw to second (#32 was already there) and the ball heads to the outfield allowing #32 to move to third and #98 to take second.
#7 Jacob on his last pitch has to swing and hits a "swinging" bunt back towards the pitcher, #32 will score and we have 1st and 3rd one out.
#14 Zach hits a line drive to left field to score #98
#2 Garrett drops one into right field that it appeared that the right fielder was going to catch, he drops it #14 will be out at second, #7 takes the turn at 3 and heads home. The Knights throw in an attempt to get #7 at the plate..."SAFE" and #2 moves to second on the throw home.
That would be were our hitting would end. The Knights defense were all over anything in the air and that included foul pop ups at the fence.

The first batter for North Wake would hit a rocket shot to #17 Ryan at second who grabs it and makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first that makes a nice reaching catch for the out. The next batter hits a slow grounder that makes it to #32 Timothy at short stop who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first for out #2. The third batter for the Knights gets one by us between second and third and is safe at first. The fourth batter lines out to #28 Brian Rubin in Right Field.

3-0 after 1

The 8U's go three up three down in the second. North Wake is playing tight D and making great throws to first.

The first North Wake batter gets on due to a 8U error (sometimes our boys play so hard they have trouble holding back and errors are made). The next three Knights batters go down. The first out was a ground ball to #9 Payton at third who makes the throw to #17 Ryan at second. The second out was a ground ball to #10 David at pitcher who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first. And the third out was a fly ball to #16 Payton Bloom in center field.

3-0 after 2

#10 David Dilday would have the only hit for the 8U Blues in the third. A nice ground ball shot up the third baseline. But our defense stays tight and the Knights will go three up three down in the third. The first two outs were ground balls back to #10 David at pitcher who makes the throws to #2 Garrett at first. The third out would be a ground ball to #32 Timothy at short stop who will also make the throw to #2 Garrett at first.

The fourth inning for the 8U's seemed to be our lucky inning yesterday against the Knights - lets see if we can do it again.
#14 Zach hits an one out fly ball that drops into left field, the left fielder drops it and Zach is able to make it safely to second.
#2 Garrett hits a line drive to right field for a single.
#28 Brian bunts for a hit and an RBI as #14 Zach scores,Garrett will move to third and Brian will move to second on the throw home to try to get Zach crossing the plate.
#17 Ryan hits a ground ball that hits third base for a single and to load the bases.
#16 Payton Bloom hits a STAND UP TRIPLE to deep center field scoring #2, #28 and #17.
#9 Payton Green has a sac bunt to score #16.
At the end of the fourth five Blues have touched home and we have taken an eight run lead.

North Wakes first batter hits a ball that hugs the third base foul line for a single. The second batter hits a hard ground ball to #17 Ryan at second, who throws to #32 Timothy covering second from short stop for out #1. The third Knight hits a Line Drive shot to right field, followed by a line drive double to right field by the next NW batter which will score two runs. The fifth batter hits a shallow fly ball to left field that #98 Blake runs in on to make the grab for out #2. The sixth batter hits a pop up to #10 David at pitcher for out #3.

8-2 after 4

#32 Timothy will start off the fifth inning with a triple to right field that he will be able to score on with a bad throw in from the out field. Our next two batters get out, and #8 Evan hits a hard ground ball double up the middle. He would have the last hit of the fifth, and one more run would score. The North Wake Knights have put some key defensive players in some key defensive spots in their outfield against us, and they have made amazing catches this game on our power hitters.

North Wakes first two batters of the fifth get out. The first batter flies out to #28 Brian in right field and the next lines out to #9 Payton at third (who grabs the ball before it hits the dirt). The next two Knights batters get on with singles, when the fifth batter of the inning hits a line drive shot to center field, it hits our out fielders glove and bounces towards the fence. Two runs are able to score and the batter is safe at second. The next and last batter of the fifth hits a ground ball, one hopper to #32 Timothy at short stop who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first for out #3.

9-4 after 5

WR 8U's would only get one hit in the sixth, a line drive double by #28 Brian to center field. North Wake leads off the sixth inning with a line drive double to center field. The next batter hits a hard ground ball to #32 Timothy at short who throws to #2 Garrett at first for the out, the Wake batter stands still on second not making a move for third. The next Wake batter drops one into center field, #16 gets it in quick to #32 Timothy who makes the throw to third as the Wake man on second heads to the third base bag, he then turns and heads back to second, we throw to #17 Ryan at second, he heads back to third, we throw...he then turns and makes it back to second safe. The next batter hits a ground ball up the middle to load the bases. The fifth batter for the Knights hits a ground ball to #9 Payton Green at third, who tags the bag for the force out and out #2, the man on third scores, two on two away. The crowd is pretty silent on each side for the next batter who is battling at the plate. he has swung and missed, he has swung and fouled off a couple, and as the last pitch is thrown he swings and miss to end the game.

9-5 final and the 8U Blues have won the 8U District 2 Championship game.

Congratulations again to the West Raleigh 7U Blues for taking third in the 8U Districts. Next weekend...Charlotte bound to play some Western North Carolina baseball teams.

ROLL BLUE!!!

Districts - Day Three Game Two - North Wake Knights

Game four for the District Tournaments for the 8U's is against the North Wake's A-Team the Knights.

The 8U's are first to the plate again this game. We know the Knights are a good team and are so far the only other undefeated team in the District Tournament.

#7 Jacob starts off our hitting in the first with a Bunt hit.
#32 Timothy hits a fly ball to right field, the ball is dropped by the right fielder, Jacob heads around the bases from first to home, North Wake throws the ball in to the catcher, the catcher grabs the throw, blocks the bag at tags Jacob with his glove, Jacob who missed the bag then reaches over and touches home with his hand..."SAFE" yells the UMP...unfortunately for North Wake the catcher had the ball in his other hand and NOT in his glove so one run scores.
Our next three batters get out, but #32 was able to score when #2 Garrett grounded out to the first basemen.

Our defense starts the game strong and North Wake goes three up, three down in the first.
The first two outs were courtesy of #32 Timothy at short stop, one a pop up and the other a ground ball that we throws to #2 Garrett at first. The third out was a pop up to #17 Ryan at second.

2-0 after 1.

The 8U's would only get one hit in the second inning. #14 Zach would hit one between second and third for a single. No runs score and we are stalled at two. The first two North Wake batters get on with a line drive single of short stop and a hard grounder up the middle for a triple that takes a bad hop in the out field to the fence. A run will score, they have a man on third and no outs on the board. Their next batter will fly out to #16 Payton in center field, he throws home to get the runner that tagged at third, but the runner is able to beat the throw and North Wake has tied the game. Their fourth batter lines out to #9 Payton at third, and their fifth batter goes down swinging.

2-2 after 2

West Raleigh goes three up, three down in the third. North Wake goes three up three down in the third. Defense plays were made by #32 Timothy at short who snatches a one hopper and throws to #2 at first for out #1. #7 Jacob who catches a short pop up foul ball at catcher for out #2. And the third out was another ground ball to #32 Timothy at short stop who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first.

2-2 after 3.

West Raleigh starts to hit in the third, and really opens things up.
#32 Timothy hits a line drive single to right center field.
#98 Blake hits one by the short stop for a single.
#2 drops one into shallow right to load the bases.
#10 hits a BOMB to foul left field, that North Wakes left field is able to make the play on for out #1, #32 tags up at third and scores, runners move over to second and third.
#14 Zach hits a hard ground ball the the third basemen who holds that ball and doesn't make a play, bases a reloaded - one out on the board.
#17 Ryan hits a double off the left fielders glove scoring #98 and #2.
#28 Brian has a Sac Fly to left center to score #14 Zach who tags and runs in from third.
#16 Payton bunts for a hit, North Wake makes a bad throw to first and #17 will score.
#9 Payton hits a ground ball to the third baseman and makes it safely to first.
#11 Grayson has the last hit of the fourth with a nice line drive shot over second scoring #16 Payton.

Six runs have crossed the plate for WR in the 4th.

North Wakes first batter attempts to bunt, but #9 Payton Green HUSTLES in on the ball and makes the throw to #2 at first in time for out #1. The second batter has a ground ball double between second and third. The third batter for North Wake hits a ground ball to #17 Ryan at second who makes the throw to #2 at first for out #2. The fourth North Wake batter strikes out and we managed to hold them in the fourth.

8-2 West Raleigh after four

Top of the fifth and #98Blake will start us off with an one out line drive single to left field.
#2 Garrett hits a double over the center fielders head.
#10 David Bunts for a hit & an RBI as #98 crosses the plate.
#14 Zach hits a BOMB to left field that turns into a Sac Fly when the North Wake left field is able to run back on it and make the play, #2 tags up at third and scores.
#17 Ryan hits an IN THE PARK HOME RUN collecting 2 RBI's when he and #10 touch home.
#28 Brian hits a line drive single over second
#16 Payton hits a double up the third baseline. Second and Third - two outs
#9 Payton hits a hot hopper by the third basemen, scoring #28.
Payton would have the last hit of the fifth for WR as we add on five more runs.

North Wakes first three batters all get on and two runs score. This ensures North Wake a 6th inning will be played (our first of Districts). The next three North Wake batters get out, the first is a ground ball to #32 Timothy at short who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first (another run would score on the play). The next out was a shallow pop up that #2 Garrett would run in on from first to make the catch. The third out was a line drive catch to #16 Payton Bloom in center field.

13-5 top of the sixth.

#7 Jacob hits a line drive shot between first and second for a single.
#32 Timothy hits a line drive between first and second, #7 attempts to take third but North Wake is able to get the ball to the third basemen who tags Jacob on the foot as he is sliding into the bag for out #1.
#98 Blake hits a BOMB to left field, the left field attempts a diving catch by the ball zooms by him and #32 scores and Blake settles in at second.
#2 Garrett hits a single between first and second
(first and third one out)
#10 David hits another laser shot that the left field grabs for the out and #98 will tag and score.
#14 Zach hits a hard ground ball between second and third for a single.
#17 Ryan hits a line drive over second scoring #2.
#28 Brian hits a line drive to center field #14 scores, #17 makes it to third, sliding in safely before the tag and #28 heads to second on the throw to third.
#16 Payton hits a line drive to center field to score #17.

Payton Bloom would have the last hit and RBI of the sixth. Five more runs have scored, and now it was time for some defense.

The first batter hits a ground ball back to #11 Grayson at pitcher who makes the throw to #28 at first. The second North Wake batter hits a line drive double to right field. The third batter hits a fly ball to shallow left center #9 Payton at short stop runs back to the grass to makes the catch, after colliding with another Blue player also heading towards the ball, #9 keeps the ball tight in his glove and out #2 is secure. The next North Wake batter hits a shallow pop up that drops in on the pitcher, and a run will score. first and second 2 outs. The fifth batter his a line drive up the middle that makes in to center field a run will score, #16 Payton Bloom grabs the ball, guns it to #17 at third who tags the runner trying to take the bag for out #3. North Wake is able to get two more in, in the sixth. But West Raleigh is able to hold on to the lead and the win.

18-7 final. This win puts us in the Districts Championship game Sunday night at 6pm.

ROLL BLUE!!!

Districts - Day Three Game One WR vs. WR

Today's first game for the 8U Blue was against the WR 7U Blue team. The 7U's would be the home team and the 8's would be the first up to the plate.

#7 Jacob would strike out swinging for out #1
#32 Timothy lined out to #4 Ian Turner at first for out #2
#98 Blake hits a line drive up the third base line for a stand up triple
#2 Garrett would ALSO hit a stand up triple to deep center field scoring #98
#16 Payton hits a hard ground ball to #44 Luke Hayes at third, who grabs it and makes the throw to #4 Ian at first, but #16 beats the throw, is called safe and #2 Garrett scores.
#14 Zach hits a ground ball up the third base line, that hits third base.
First and Second 2 outs
#17 Ryan drops one into left field over third base scoring #16 from second
#28 Brian hits a slow roller up the third base line for a base hit to load the bases.
#9 Payton hits a hard ground ball that #24 Kaden Varela at short stop scoops up and throws to #7 Lawson Wheeler at second for out #3.

Three runs have scored for the 8U's.

#24 Kaden Varela is the first to the plate for the 7U's and hits a line drive over second for a base hit.
#7 Lawson would stike out (it was tough first at bats for WR's #7's)
#34 Lukas Schramm hits a one hopper to #32 Timothy at short stop who throws to #17 Ryan at second to get #24 sliding in for out #2.
#44 Luke Hayes hit a ground ball by third for a single.
#26 Chris Moon hits a one hopper that gets by our defense to load the bases.
#4 Ian Turner hits a ground ball to first that #Garrett grabs and beats Ian to the bag for out #3.

3-0 after 1

#8 Evan leads off in the second inning with a base hit ground ball between second and third.
#11 Grayson bunts for a hit
#7 Jacob bunts for a hit
#32 Timothy hits a line drive over 2nd base for a 2 RBI single scoring #8 and #11.
#98 Blake hits a rocket Line drive that #2 Isaac snatches up right before it hits the ground for out #1.
#2 Garrett hits a line drive over second for a single scoring #7.
First and Second 1 out
#16 Payton hits a hard ground ball up the middle that #13 Jacob Annunziata grabs at pitcher and makes the throw to #26 Chris Moon at third to get #32 Timothy sliding in for the force out (out #2)
#14 Zach hits a double up the third base line (this ball would ALSO hit third base) and #2 and #16 would score.
#17 Ryan hits a ground ball to #26 Chris Moon at third, but a bad throw to first gets Ryan on safe and #14 is able to cross home.
#28 Brian hits a line drive single over the short stop.
Brian would have the last hit of the inning and the 8U's have added 6 more runs to their lead.

#2 Isaac Holmes hits a hard ground ball to #9 Payton at third, who grabs it and makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first who makes a nice stretching catch for out #1.
#13 Jacob Annunziata hits a hard ground ball up the third base line for a single.
#9 Ben Penchuk hits a ground ball to #9 Payton at third who snatches the ball and makes the throw to #17 Ryan at second for out #2.
#12 Logan Govan hits a ground ball back to #11 Grayson at pitcher who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first for out #3.

9-0 after 2

#8 Evan will start the third inning with a single towards third.
#11 Grayson smokes one up the third base line for a single (Great out field defense gets the ball in quick and keeps Grayson at first).
#7 Jacob hits a Stand up triple between first and second scoring #8 and #11.
#32 Timothy grounds out to #12 Logan Govan at second who throw to #4 Ian at first for out #1, #7 scores.
#98 Blake hits a hard ground ball by third for a single.
#2 Garrett hits a double up the first baseline
#10 David hits a BOMB over second, for a stand up double, scoring #98 and #2.
#14 Zach hits a hard ground ball towards third, that #44 Luke Hayes gets in front of and on a bad hop it hits him in the knee cap, he stands tough, grabs the ball and stops the runners to only one bag.
#17 Ryan hits a rope line drive to left field that #26 Chris Moon makes a DIVING catch on for out #2.
#28 Brian hits a line drive over second for a stand up double scoring #10.
#9 Payton hits a line drive stand up double up the third base line scoring #28 and #14.
#8 Evan hits a hard ground ball to #24 Kaden at short stop, that he is able to knock down, but Evan is able to beat the throw to first and #9 moves to third.
#11 Grayson hits a line drive to left center field for a single.
#7 Jacob hits an "opposite field" line drive over the short stop for a single scoring #9.
#32 Timothy (switching hitting for the first time against the machine) hits a one hopper to the first basemen #3 Luke Fuller who tags first for out #3.

Nine more guys have touched home in the third.

#24 Kaden starts the 7U's hitting in the third with a ground ball to #14 Zach at third #24 beats the throw to first for a single.
#3 Luke Fuller hits a ground ball to #10 David a second, he grabs it and attempts to tag Kaden on his way to second. The Ump says he misses the tag, and all runners are safe.
1st and 2nd no outs.
#34 Lukas Schramm goes down swinging for out #1.
#44 Luke Hayes hits a ground ball to #14 Zach at third, who gobbles it up, runs, tags third for the force (out #2) and then throws to #10 David at second for a 5U-4 DOUBLE PLAY.

18-0 heading into the fourth.

#98 Blake will start the hitting in the fourth for the 8U's with a rocket shot towards third that #44 Luke Hayes gets in front of and knocks down with his CHEST (the 8U coaches could be heard yelling that they were sure #44 has a Superman S on his chest under his uniform). As the coaches were running on the field towards Luke he grabs the ball and throws to second to stop Blake at first. Luke could be heard telling Coach Lance to please leave the field, "yes I'm all right".

LETS PLAY BALL!
#2 Garrett would fly out to #24 Kaden at short stop.
#10 David hits a line drive over third
#14 Zach hits a BOMB that hits the ground in deep left center field.
#17 Ryan hits a line drive shot to left field - that would score #98 Blake.
#28 Brian hit a hard ground ball to #24 Kaden at Short Stop, Kaden grabs the ball and throws to #12 Logan at second for out #2, #14 Zach would score on the play.
#9 Payton hits a hard line drive shot to #24 Kaden that makes a great play and throws to #12 Logan at second for out #3.

Two more runs have scored in the fourth.

#26 Chris Moon starts of the bottom of the fourth for the 7U's with a line drive to #8 Evan at second base, who grabs it before it touches the ground for out #1.
#4 Ian drops on into the infield for a base hit.
#2 Isaac hits a line drive shot to right field for a single.
#13 Jacob Annunziata hits a line drive over second scoring #4
#30 Trey Bobeng flies out to #28 Brian at third for out #2
#12 Logan hits a ground ball to #14 Zach at short stop, Zach makes the throw to #8 Evan at second for out #3.

And that is the game.

The WR 8U Blues 20 WR 7U Blues 1.

The 7U's would play again later that night and beat the North Wake 7U team 24-0, and will be playing the NW 2nd team Sunday Afternoon. Good luck 7U Blue!

Districts - Day 2 vs. Henderson

The West Raleigh 8U team is set to play Henderson on night two of Districts. Henderson makes quick work of us in the first inning with some really outstanding defensive plays. The pitching machine was a bit off and it took until the second inning for our guys to adjust. Unfortunately for Henderson there guys didn't seem to do as well adjusting to the low and outside machine, and even though they played some great defense our 8U's started destroying the ball in the second inning and didn't stop until the game was called.

Henderson held the WR 8U Blues to two hits in the first inning and one run.

WR first inning defense consisted of the pitching machine striking out the sides and #10 David Dilday grabbing a ground ball at pitcher which he threw to #2 Garrett at first for the out.

1-0 West Raleigh after 1

The Second inning our bats started to heat up. 8U Blues had five straight hits and two runs cross home before their first out. We had thirteen at bats in the second, one double, 9 more runs, and six batters with RBI's (3 w/2RBI's and 3 w/1 RBI's). We have taken a 10 run lead heading into the bottom of the second.

All three batters for Henderson are having trouble with the machine and all go down swinging.

10-0 after two.

The third inning for West Raleigh ended up being our biggest scoring inning. Six guys got up twice in the third, eight different batters collect RBI's (1 batter w/3 RBI's, 2 batters w/2 RBI's, and 5 batters w/1RBI's). Three different batters hit triples and three different batters hit doubles. When all was said and done, twelve more runs crossed home and the 8U's have taken a 22 run lead.

Bottom of the third and Henderson would go three up three down again. #10 David Dilday took care of outs 1 and 3, catching a pop up at pitcher and fielding a ground ball at pitcher and throwing it to #28 Brian Rubin at first. The second out was a strike out.

22-0 after 3.

Even though West Raleigh's bats were still hot and our boys couldn't seem to stop smoking the ball to the out field, the base coaches held our boys to base hits. Henderson's defense made some amazing plays in the third, a foul ball pop up catch at the first base fence, and a grab on a hard ground ball to third where the third basemen was able to grab it and beat our runner to third for the force at the bag, and a RIDICULOUS line drive catch at third base. The 8U's had three hits in the fourth and one more run would score taking our lead to 23.

Henderson's first batter of the fourth goes down swinging. Their second batter smokes a line drive over second base for a base hit. The third batter hits a line drive between first and second that #28 Brian Rubin GRABS out of the sky for out #2, and then hustles over to first bag and tags the bag before the Henderson runner can make it back to tag up.

Game over, 23-0 WR.

The 8U's "Big" Blue will be meeting their little brothers WR 7U "lil" Blues tomorrow morning at 10:30 for game three of districts.

Good luck tomorrow boys and ROLL BLUE!!!

Districts @ the Factory - 7U North Wake

West Raleigh's first game of the districts started tonight, with WR 8U Blue vs North Wakes 7U team.

The first inning for North Wake was a quick one. Their first batter got on by error, next batter lined out to #9 Payton Green at third, next batter struck out, fourth batter had a line drive single to center field and the fifth batter struck out.

WR's first inning was a busy one, we had seven batters that batted twice in the inning (on an 11 man hitting roaster), two batters had triples, one check swing bunt (for a hit). Eight different batters had RBI's (3 batters w/1 RBI, 4 batters w/2 RBI's and 1 batter w/3 RBI's). When all was said and done West Raleigh had taken a 14-0 lead after 1.

Our Second Inning defense consisted of one strike out, a pop up to #10 David at pitcher, who HUSTLED to the opposite side of the machine to make the catch, and a ground ball to first baseman #2 Garrett. Three Up Three Down.

The Second inning's hitting was similar to the first: Six batters got up twice, eight different batters racked up RBI's (5 batters w/1 RBI, 2 batters w/2 RBI's, 1 batter w/3 RBI's), there were two doubles and a triple and twelve more runs score in the second. One memorable moment of the second inning happened when #11 Grayson was on first base and #7 Jacob hit a hard grounder by the first baseman. Right as Grayson was starting to run he did an AMAZING twirl to avoid getting hit by the ball (a move we are all convinced that Coach Craig has been working on since taking one to the shin this past weekend that Grayson has perfected). G-Money's move was so smooth that after he entered the dugout #28 Brian could be heard saying to him "You made a great dance move on THAT one".

26-0 top of the third.

Three up, three down for North Wake in the third. Two strike outs, and one line drive catch by #7 Jacob at pitcher.

Bottom of the third.

Since we had a substantial lead, our base coaches started holding our batters one base at a time when they would get hits. We would get four more runs in the third with four batters picking up RBI's.

Rules in Ripken ball is if a team is up by ten runs or more after 4 (3.5 if the home team is up) the game is called. So if the 8U's can hold the North Wake 7U team the game would be over after they hit in the top of the fourth.

The first batter pops up a foul ball on the third base side, who #10 David jumps up and hustles over to make the catch for out #1. The second batter hits a hard ground ball to #14 Zach at third who makes the throw to #28 Brian at first for out #2. Third batter hits a ground ball up the middle that the second basemen #7 Jacob grabs and throws to #28 Brian at first for out #3.

30-0 final.

The 7U's played after us at 7:30 against the Hillsborough 8U team. There game was a nail biter through the first few innings. First Hillsborough was up, then WR 7U's would tie, then Hillsborough would go up, then WR 7U would take the lead. The 7U's would hold onto their lead and beat the Hillsborough Hawks 18-11! Congratulations to the 7U team!

WR 8U's will be playing again tomorrow night vs. Henerdson at the Factory.

Championship in Winterville

West Raleigh 8U Blues are meeting the Rocky Mount All Stars on the field in Winterville for the Top Gun All Star Invitational Championship game. The Rocky Mount All Star team had also won all of their games this weekend, and after beating our 7U team were 3-0 on the weekend. They were pumped and ready to play.

WR is first to the plate and our first three batters of the game seemed to almost want it too much and all three pop up to the Rocky Mount infielders. Three up, three down for the Blue and now it was Rocky Mounts turn to hit.

Rocky Mounts first batter hits a line drive single to left field. The second batter hits a pop up to #32 Timothy at short stop for out #1. The third batter pops up to #9 Payton at third for out #2. The fourth batter of the inning, hits a line drive up the first base line that goes to the fence, #14 Zach runs to the fence, picks it up and guns it to #32 Timothy at cut off, who fires it to #9 Payton Green at third who tags the batter sliding in for out #3. The runner from first had scored before the tag, so Rocky Mount has taken a one run lead as we head to the second.

#2 Garrett starts the hitting off in the second with a hit to the third basemen, Garrett beats the throw to first, a throw that the third basemen threw so hard, it flew by the first basemen and hit Coach Craig in the shin, leaving him with a huge lump on his leg. We were all impressed that no obscenities were shouted by Coach Nichols (not sure this blogger would have been able to stay so silent).
#7 Jacob bunts for a hit, there is a bad throw to first and both runners advance.
#14 Zach has a Sac Fly to left field, scoring #2.
#16 Payton Bunts for a hit, the pitcher on the bunt, makes the throw to third (where there is no force) and Jacob was running to, he rounds the bag on the throw and as he attempts to dive back to the bag the third basemen tags him for out #2.

Payton Bloom has the last hit of the inning as West Raleigh ties it up in the second.

Rocky Mounts lead off in the bottom of the second hits a line drive double to left field. The next batter pops up to #32 Timothy for out #1. The third batter then hits a line drive to #98 Blake in left field that he makes a diving catch for out #2. The fourth and final Rocky Mount batter pops up to #32 Timothy at Short stop for out #3.

1-1 heading into the third.

West Raleigh's bats seem to be heavy and slow. We go three up, three down in the third, with all three batters flying out. We needed to keep up the good Defense if we were going to win this game.

Luckily our defense played tight in the third. Rocky Mount went three up three down also. #32 Timothy took care of the first out when he grabbed a line drive shot at short stop and made the throw to #2 Garrett at first. #7 Jacob would get the next two outs at pitcher, the first a ground ball that he would throw to Garrett at first, and the next a pop up he would catch.

1-1 after three.

#28 Brian starts off the hitting in the fourth with a single between second and third. He makes his way to second on a bad throw to first.
#17 Ryan bunts for a hit and #28 moves to third.
#32 Timothy has a sac fly to center field for out #1 scoring #28
Our next two batters go down and we manage to get one run in the fourth.

Rocky Mounts first batter strikes out looking, their next two batters get on with Line drive singles, first and second one out. The fourth Rocky Mount batter hits a line drive to #16 Payton Bloom in Left Center, who guns it to #17 Ryan at second for out #2, Ryan then makes the throw home, and David makes a great catch at catcher keeping Rocky Mounts runner at third. The fifth batter of the fourth flies out to #17 Ryan at second for out #3.

2-1 after four

What we have here my friends is an old fashion ball game. Our boys so far have not been hitting, but as the coaches say, defense wins championships. We will need to stay smart on defense if we want to win this game.

It is our turn at the plate and #14 Zach hits an one out BOMB to center field that one hops the fence for a ground rule double. #16 Payton Bloom hits a ROPE to left center scoring #14, and Payton slides in safe under the tag at second. #10 David steps to the plate and hits a two out double to right field scoring #16. #9 Payton drops one in on the pitcher for a base hit, and #11 Grayson hits a line drive to center field but #9 gets tagged out sliding into third to end the top of the fifth. Two more runs have scored, but would that be enough?

The first batter for Rocky Mount hits a Fly Ball that drops into Right Field, #2 Garrett runs after it, grabs it and guns it to #32 Timothy who was covering second. Timothy catches the ball and tags the runner sliding into second for out #1. The second batter hits a hard line drive to left field, but WR manages to get the ball in quickly and keeps the runner at first. The third batter hits a line drive to #16 Payton in Center Field that squeezes for out #2. The next two batters get on, Rocky Mount has bases loaded for their sixth batter of the inning who hits a hard line drive that is caught by #32 Timothy at short stop.

Somehow our boys manage to get out of a bases loaded situation with no harm done.

#32 Timothy steps to the plate in the sixth with two outs on the board, he hits a line drive single to center field.
#98 Blake hits a STAND UP TRIPLE to left field, scoring #32.
#2 Garrett drops one into center field for a single that brings #98 home.
#7 Jacob bunts for a hit.

Jacob has the last hit of the inning, two more runs have scored. Our boys needed to stay focused and we needed to hold our lead. This was the tightest game our boys had been in since they started this All Star season.

Rocky Mounts first two batters get on, they have first and second no outs, when the third batter hits one back to #17 Ryan at pitcher who makes the throw to #9 Payton at third for out #1. The fourth Rocky Mount batter hits a TRIPLE between first and second scoring two runners. The next batter gets on with a dropped pop up, runners are on first and third one out. The sixth batter hits a line drive to center field where #98 Blake makes the throw to #10 David at second for out #2 and the runner at third scores...6-4 and Rocky Mount has one man on, two away when the seventh batter of the sixth hits a pop up that #17 Ryan at pitcher runs back on, and catches as he collides with another WR Blue Player but Ryan hangs on to the ball for out #3.

6-4 is the final. It was a rough game for the 8U Blue, even though they won and they played great defense through almost all of the game. They may have got a bit flustered at times, but our boys never gave up, or stopped playing. If anything, they looked as if they were trying too hard and lost the focus and control we normally have and Rocky Mount was able to capitalize on those moments. In the end, our boys made some amazing plays, got on base anyway possible and held on for the victory.

WR 8U Blue - Top Gun All Star Invitational Champions


“Know what the difference between hitting .250 and .300 is? It’s 25 hits. 25 hits in 500 at bats is 50 points, okay? There’s 6 months in a season, that’s about 25 weeks. That means if you get just one extra flare a week – just one – a gorp… you get a ground ball, you get a ground ball with eyes… you get a dying quail, just one more dying quail a week… and you’re in Yankee Stadium.” –Crash Davis

Sunday's Winterville Rematch

West Raleigh 8U's head back to the batting cages at 11:30 Sunday morning to learn that a morning full of baseball has already occurred. Winterville has beaten Wilson County in a morning game which means we will be playing the Winterville 8U's again today in an attempt to reach the Gold Bracket Championship game.

West Raleigh is first at the plate.
#8 Evan starts our hitting with an one out ground ball single up the middle.
#98 Blake hits a line drive single to deep center field, which Winterville quickly gets in to hold our runners to one bag each.
#2 Garrett hits a hard ground ball to the second basemen, all runners are safe and bases are loaded.
#7 Jacob grounds out to first, scoring #8 Evan, and advances the runners.
Second and Third 2 outs
#32 Timothy hits an in the PARK HOME RUN with a hot shot to right field, scoring #98, #2 and #32.
#14 Zach pops one up high in the infield that drops in-front of the catcher and he makes it safely to first.
#28 Brian bunts for a hit
#10 David hits a Line Drive Double to center field scoring #14. #28 would of scored on the hit, but WR had hit the five run rule and it was time to play defense.

Winterville stepped to the plate ready to hit. Their first batter hits a single between second and third. Their second batter hits a HARD line drive that #14 Zach makes an amazing catch on for out #1. Their next batter gets on with a single up the middle, followed by a fly ball double to deep right field over our outfields heads that will score two runs.
Winterville is hitting and they are hitting the ball hard, their fifth batter of the inning hits a single to left field and they now have runners on first and third, still one out. The sixth batter hits a ball to #32 Timothy at short stop, who grabs the ball and throws to #17 Ryan at second for the force out and out #2, but the runner on third scores. Wintervilles seventh batter hits a line drive to center field for a double and the runner on first scores. The next batter hits a line drive to #17 Ryan at second who makes the catch for out number three.
Winterville kept our out fielders on their toes, hitting to all parts of the field. We were all sure that the Winterville All Stars had eaten their Wheaties that morning.

5-4 West Raleigh at the end of the first.

Top of the second and #9 Payton steps to the plate with one out showing on the board. He hits a ground ball to the third basemen who, in an attempt to throw out Speedy Green at first, over throws the bag and Green settles in safe at first.
#11 Grayson hits a single up the middle.
First and Second-One out.
#17 Ryan hits a STAND UP ground ball TRIPLE to the left field fence, scoring #9 and #11.
#8 Evan hits a single between first and second scoring #17 Ryan.
#98 Blake hits a hard one back at the short stop that bounces off of him and all runners are safe.
Blake would have our last hit of the Second, and Evan would have the last RBI - three more runs have scored.

West Raleigh although impressed with their opponents hitting in the first, were not intimidated and we manged a three up three down bottom of the second. The first out came courtesy of #11 Grayson who fielded a one hopper at pitcher and throws to #2 Garrett at first to get the runner out. Out #2 was a one hopper to #17 Ryan at second who also makes the throw to Garrett at first. The last out was a fly ball to #9 Payton at short stop.

8-4 after two.

Winterville impressed with our defense in the second wanted to make sure that we knew that they were here to play and held us to only one hit in the third, which was a line drive single by #32 Timothy Pate. Even though our next three batters all hit the ball hard, Winterville shut them down and it was time for us to grab our hats and gloves.

The bottom of this inning was again an inning for our outfielders. The first two batters hit line drive shots to Left Center Field where #16 Patyon Bloom snatched them both out of the air for outs 1 and 2. The third Winterville batter gets on with a line drive single to shallow left field. The fourth batter flies out #98 Blake McCain in left field.

8-4 after three.

#9 Payton starts the fourth with an one out ground ball that gets by the Winterville third basemen for a single.
#11 Grayson hits one back up the middle and hits the machine, for a base hit.
#17 Ryan drops one into shallow left field, and #9 is thrown out sliding into third.
First and Second - two outs
#8 Evan hits a hard ball back at the the third basemen, he is unable to make a play and all runners are safe.
Bases loaded 2 outs for #98 Blake who hits a smoker up the third base line for a double, scoring #11 and #17.

Blake has the last hit, and last RBI's of the fourth for West Raleigh.

The first two batters of the fourth for Winterville get out when they pop up to #17 Ryan at second. The third batter hits a TRIPLE to left field. The fourth batter is able to hit one between second and third for a single, scoring their runner from third. The next batter for Winterville hits a hard ground ball to #9 Payton at short stop who gobbles it up and makes the throw to #17 Ryan at second for out #3.

10-5 after four.

#7 Jacob leads off the fifth inning with a bunt hit.
#32 Timothy hits a single up the middle, and both runners advance on a bad throw.
#14 Zach has a Sac Fly to Right Center, scoring #7 Jacob who slides in under the tag at home and #32 Timothy moves over to third on the throw home.
#28 Brian bunts scoring #32 Timothy, #28 is out at first.
#10 David hits a line drive single over the short stop.
#16 Payton hits a line drive at the short stop, who is unable to hold onto it, and both runners are safe.
#9 Payton hits a hard one back at the pitcher, and as Payton is about to beat the throw to first, the pitcher guns it to the first basemen and over throws the bag, sending #10 home and #16 to third.
#11 Grayson hits a hard ground ball to the third basemen who holds the ball as #16 scores, #9 heads to second and #11 settles in safe at first.
Grayson would have the last hit and RBI of the fifth inning for West Raleigh as the boys increase their lead to 9.

Winterville starts off the bottom of the fifth inning with a lead off line drive single over second base. The next better hits a line drive that takes a one hop to #14 Zach in right center, who makes the throw #9 Payton at second for out #1. The third batter hits a hard line drive up the middle that takes a bad hop in the out field and shoots towards the fence, the runner on first scores, and the batter is safe at third. Fourth Winterville batter hits a hard ground ball single to short and the runner on third scores. The next batter bunts for a hit, first and second 1 out. The sixth Winterville batter of the fifth hits a hard ground ball to #32 Timothy at third base, who snatches it up and tags the bag for the force out and out #2. Winterville has first and second, two outs when their next batter hits a hard line drive up the middle, a run scores, they throw the ball in to #11 Grayson at second, who drops the ball as the runner touches second base, the runner then attempts to take third, but Grayson grabs the ball and catches the runner on the way to third and tags him out for out #3.

14-8 Heading into the sixth.

#8 Evan, hits a one hopper to the third basemen who over throws first and Evan settles in safe.
#98 Blake hits a Standup Double to left field scoring #8.
#2 Garrett drops one into Right Center for a single.
#7 Jacob (who kept his hands back...not up) hits a hard ground ball between first and second, scoring #98 and #2.
#32 Timothy hits a single between second and third and Jacob slides in safe at second.
#14 Zach hits a BOMB to right center for a single scoring #7.
Our next two batters fly out to the short stop, we have first and second - two outs.
#16 Payton hits a Stand up double, scoring #32 and #14.
#9 Payton hits a single past the third basemen
Runners on first and third - two outs
#11 Grayson hits a ground ball single between second and third, scoring #16.
#17 Ryan has our last hit of the 6th inning with a ball hit to the third basemen, that all runners advanced safely on.

Seven more runs have scored for 8U's. It was great that our boys were hitting, but they really needed to tighten up their defense.

The first Winterville batter Flies out to #11 Grayson at second. The second batter makes it on with a single up the middle. The next batter hits one back up the middle to #7 Jacob at pitcher who makes the throw to #98 Blake the short stop who is covering second for out #2. The fourth batter hits a hard grounder to third, that gets fielded cleaning but is over thrown at second base and the runners advance. Second and third-two outs. The fifth and final Winterville batter flies out to #16 Payton in center field for out #3.

21-8 is the final.

The last two innings for West Raleigh where not our best defensive showing. Even though we ended up winning the game and winning it by a large margin it started to feel as if the boys were losing focus. We were all waiting for Coach Pate to grab the boys bats and gather them up near the batting cages where we would hear:

Skip: "You guys... you lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. Do you know what that makes you? Larry?"
Larry: "Lollygaggers!"
Skip: "Lollygaggers."

But coach stayed positive and gracefully let the boys know that they needed to keep their heads in the game. After all "What win's championship?" "DEFENSE!" "What does defense win?" "CHAMPIONSHIPS".

The West Raleigh 8U's will be playing Rocky Mount in the Championship game later in the afternoon. Between games we were lucky enough to cheer on our 7U's as the took fourth place in the Gold Bracket, and the 9U Blue team that played on the field next to us who took Runner's up in the 10U Gold bracket.