It felt like 130 degrees (and it wasn't a dry heat) in Winterville Thursday afternoon as the West Raleigh 8U Blues take the field against West Chatham in their first game of the ENC Ripken State Tournament.
The 8U's start off slow with a three up three down first inning. Our boys were having a hard time getting their timing down and West Chatham made three nice plays to keep us at bay.
The West Chatham team didn't seem to have any trouble with their timing as their lead off hitter rocked on to Right Center for a triple. Their second batter lined out to #32 Timothy at short stop for out #1. The third batter hit a slow grounder to #10 David who checked the runner at third as saw him heading for home, so he makes the throw #7 Jacob at catcher who chases the runner back to third "PICKLE"...but it was a short pickle, with a high throw to third, that goes over our third basemen the runner scores, and the batter is headed to second when we make another bad throw towards second and the runner ends up on THIRD! So West Chatham has scored a run, and the batter is now on third and one out is on the board. The fourth batter hits a ground ball to #32 Timothy at short, who makes the throw to #2 Garrett at first. W. Chatham's fifth batter hits a one hopper to Right Center for a hit. The sixth and final batter hits a shallow popup to #10 David at pitcher for out #3.
West Chatham takes a 2 run lead after 1.
#14 Zach starts off our hitting with a one out ground ball double up the third baseline.
#9 Payton Bunts for a hit.
#8 Evan drops one in left field for a two out single, hitting in #14 Zach. First and Second 2 outs.
#10 David hits a line drive up the middle scoring #9 Payton. Coach Rick excitedly waves Evan towards third after he hits second. The West Chatham team hurries the ball in and gets Evan in a pickle between second and third. Which the third basemen hustles and tags Evan out on the play.
West Raleigh has gotten two runs back and the score is tied 2-2 after 1 1/2.
West Chatham goes 3 up 3 down in the second. The first batter strikes out, the second batter flies out to #28 Brian in center field and the third out is a ground out to #10 David at pitcher.
2-2 after 2
The 8U's seem to come a alive in the third innings of our games this season, and this game would follow suit.
#17 Ryan starts off our hitting with a bunt hit.
#28 Brian smacks a line drive single to left field.
#7 Jacob Bunts for a hit.
#98 Blake hits a hard ground ball up the third base line that the third basemen makes a great play on the ball, #28 Brian is forced out at third but #17 Ryan will score.
#32 Timothy hits a line drive double to center field scoring #7 and #9. #32 will move to third when W Chatham throws home in the attempt to get Green at the plate.
#14 Zach grounds out to the third basemen who makes the throw to first in time to get Zach but #32 will score.
Timothy will have the last hit of the third and Zach will have the last RBI, WR has tacked on four more runs.
West Raleigh plays great defense in the third and W Chatham again go three up, three down in the third. The first two outs were ground balls to #32 Timothy at short stop who makes the throws to #2 Garrett at first. #9 Payton takes care of the third out by grabbing a ground ball at third and gets the ball to Garrett at first.
6-2 after 3.
Fourth Inning WR would have three more hits on six batters.
#2 Garrett bunts for a hit.
#17 Ryan hits a two out ground ball that gets by the third basemen.
#28 Brian hits a hard grounder between first and second to score #10 David.
West Raleigh has added one more run.
Bottom of the fourth and W Chatham again goes three up three down. #2 Garrett takes care of the first batter on a shallow pop up on the first baseline that he HUSTLES in to make the running catch. The Second out is a ground ball hit to #9 Payton at third who throws to #2 at first. #9 Payton will also take care of retiring the third batter of the inning when the batter bunts and Payton hustles in from third to grab the ball and make the throw to Garrett at first.
7-2 after 4
#98 Blake starts off our hitting in the fifth with a line drive double to left field.
#32 Timothy hits a line drive over second base for a single scoring #98 from second.
#9 Payton hits an one out ground ball by the third basemen, runners are on first and third.
#2 Garrett hits a ground ball to the second basemen who gets #9 sliding in, and #32 will score.
#8 Evan hits a hard ground ball that the third basemen bobbles the hot ball and all runners are safe.
#11 Grayson hits a ground ball by the third basemen scoring #2, and all runners will advance on the throw home.
#17 Ryan hits a 2 RBI single up the third baseline scoring #8 and #11.
#28 Brian would have the last hit of the inning with a line drive to center field.
Five more runs have crossed the plate for WR and if they can hold West Chatham in the fifth the game will end by ten run rule.
Well...West Raleigh WILL hold West Chatham and for the fourth inning in a row W. Chatham will go three up three down in the fifth.
The first batter will bunt and #9 Payton will hustle in from third, grab the ball and make the throw to #2 Garrett for out #1. The second batter hits an one hopper to #17 Ryan who makes the throw to Garrett at first for out #2. The third batter will hit a ground ball to #9 Payton at third who makes the throw to #2 at first to end the game.
First game of the State tournament was an exciting one. West Chatham came out hot and were a great team, but our boys finished strong and got the win.
Next game: 6:15 vs. Supper Optimist.
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