The Dulins Dodgers captured the 14U World Wood Bat Championship on Monday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over the defending champion East Cobb Astros 14U.
The Dodgers jumped on the Astros early taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning and were able to hold off any late charges from the defending champs. With two runners on and no outs in the top of the fifth inning, leftfielder Ryan Garner (2013 Grad) made two crucial catches at the warning track to keep the Dodgers ahead 3-1.
Despite only have four hits, none of which were extra base hits the Dodgers were able to manufacture four runs. In a game that featured a total of seven hits, Dulins' starter 2014 Grad Blake Hennessey was tough going 5.1 innings and only allowing two hits and one run. Brett Hanewich came in and sealed the deal for the Dodgers striking out three batters in the last inning.
Dulins' 2013 Grad OF/LHP Chase Hamilton (6'2, 175) took home the Most Valuable Player Award with his performances on the mound and at the plate for the Dodgers. Hamilton (10.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 4 BB) the Dodger's three-hole hitter, went 6-19 on the week, while also going 1-0 on the mound with two saves. The highlight of the week for Hamilton came in the quarterfinals, when the Dodgers knocked off the top-seeded West Florida Panthers 6-2. Hamilton went the distance in the eight-inning tiebreaker game allowing only four hits, while striking out seven batters.
Dulins' 2013 Grad RHP Brett Hanewich (6'2, 185) and Alabama Seminoles 2013 Grad LHP Cameron Cummings (5'10, 160) shared Most Valuable Pitcher Honors.
Hanewich (Bradenton, FL) was dominate in helping lead the Dodgers to the championship with a 2-0 record and two saves. Brett was the hardest thrower at the event with a fastball that topped at 84 and simply dominated opposing hitters in his four appearances. For the week, Brett threw 11.1 innings, allowing three hits and no runs while striking out 12 batters.