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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/16/2021

Dirtbags Camo Off To Hot Start At 16u WWBA

Matthew Welsh     
Photo: TayShaun Walton (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. -- The 16u Dirtbags Camo began what they hope to be a decisive WWBA National Championship campaign after taking two wins in their first two games on Thursday afternoon. The Sedalia, N.C.-based team allowed only one total run in the process.
 
In their first game of the day in Atlanta, the Dirtbags defeated the Decatur Devils, 9-1, in run-rule fashion, powered by nine hits and six walks. Despite going down a run early in the game, Dirtbags’ starter and uncommitted top-500 prospect Nathan Teague ensured that his composure and efficiency are qualities that helped carry his team to the win today. He hopes those same efforts can deliver in later tournament games as well.
 
“They got ahead in the first inning and put up one, but the main thing was just commanding my fastball and getting ahead, and you can really work with what you’ve got once you get ahead,” said Teague.
 
The 6-foot-7 righty also stressed the importance of playing in games of this consequence and giving his team the eventual chance to win. Even for a team as talented as the Dirtbags, getting the first win of a tournament under your belt can do wonders for the confidence of a team whose last Perfect Game event was more than a month ago.
 
“It feels good man,” Teague said on receiving the game one ball. “It shows you that Coach has a lot of confidence in me, but I mean, I have a lot of confidence in myself too, so I’m glad we got it done.” 
 
That level of talent for the Dirtbags extends to all aspects of the game. With 12 current Division-I commits and 17 players ranked in the country’s top-500, the team knows that on paper, they have the ability to compete with any team in the tournament. And that potential, through two games, was on full display.
 
The No. 6-ranked TayShaun Walton (Miami commit) headlines the outfield players for the Dirtbags, followed by shortstop Ethan Gibson (No. 465, Virginia Tech commit), second baseman Marcus Bradshaw (No. 283, uncommitted), Landen Baker (No. 493, uncommitted) and Bryce Rudisill (No. 463, Pittsburgh commit). 
 
On the mound resides an equally potent prospect supply including righty Kyle Crow (No. 123, Louisville commit), righty Jacob Kirby (No. 469, uncommitted), lefty Jackson Little (t-500, East Carolina commit) and righty Jackson Dilorenzo (t-1000, uncommitted). Together, the staff will have to navigate a seven-game pool play schedule, in addition to any bracket play games. 
 
Crow, the country’s 30th-ranked right-hander, was particularly influential in the game two win where his team delivered a 3-0 shutout against Diamond Elite. Crow allowed only one hit over seven innings and struck out seven. 
 
Despite the road in front of them, Walton, a team leader, thinks that this group’s intimate teamwork is what gives them an edge on the competition, regardless of the opposition’s baseball competence. 
 
“We work together and play together,” Walton said. “Some players are hot heads or always thinking about themselves, but we’re just guys that pick each other when we're down. We don’t let one guy put too much pressure on themselves, and just play together.”
 
Another key: the Dirtbags embrace a standard of excellence that never wavers too high or low. The best travel teams are able to execute on a consistent basis, ignoring any outside factors that could force deviation. Both at the plate and on the rubber, a commitment to doing your job is what allows the team’s moving parts to create a smooth brand of baseball.
 
“I wouldn’t say that we are coming out here to prove anything, we all know within ourselves what we can do as a team. As long as we keep playing together, we’ll be fine,” Walton said.
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