18u
The 18u PG Battle of the Southeast champion was decided in this early-morning match between the extremely talented SmarTense 17u The Show and TG DBacks Scout Team.
Luke Orfi announced his arrival by launching a massive solo home run to right center to give SmarTense the early advantage.
Because of Noah Orfi's strong start, SmarTense was able to contain the DBacks' hot bats. The clever lefty pitched five innings without allowing a run while collecting five strikeouts and four hits. He threw 70% of strikes and he maintained control of the zone.
SmarTense sought to increase their lead after a walk, an out, and another walk in the top of the third before they capitalized when Luke Orfi once again provided an RBI single.
Jacobi Brooks singled to bring Caleb Lee across after he hammered a single and Jonathan French added another run with an RBI single to increase the advantage following an error and a single by Tyler Pinson.
With a scorching double to start the top of the sixth, Landon Stripling kept the DBacks from falling silent. A sac fly was able to start a battle after and error was committed. With an RBI double, Sherman Johnson II revived the inning's momentum before ann RBI single via Will Moffit shortened the gap after a three-run inning.
To close the door, Alexander Palma entered the game. Jakob Cowart singled to start the inning but Palma was able to induce a double play to give his team the upper hand they needed. He finished the last out and recorded the save.
17u
To determine who would win this year's event, two hot teams in Nelson Baseball School and Canes Southeast Scout, faced off in the 17u PG Battle of the Southeast finale.
Damian Brown got Canes Southeast off to a strong start as he pitched three innings without surrendering a run and allowed just three hits. First and foremost, according to Head Coach Jim Bauemel, "Our pitching stood out. We only allowed three runs in this tournament, I think.”
With Andrew Albertus' leadoff double coming on the very first pitch, the Canes offense got things going fast and efficiently. Following him, Baker Walker doubled to bring the game's first run in. Jaden Nunez's RBI single was followed by a walk and helped to add another run. Two more runs were scored following a fielder's choice, wild pitch, walk, and error. The runs continued as Reginald Tuggle showed off his speed with a steal of home to extend the lead.
"We hit when it counted", according to Coach Baumel. “As we advanced in the bracket, the bats heated up and supported us as well.”
Top of the order players Andrew Albertus and Baker Walker were in charge of their offensive. Andrew had two doubles and two RBIs as he ended 2-2. Baker Walker showed up right after him, going 3-3 with three Rbi’s.
Additionally notable was Tripp Lancaster, who went 1-1 with two runs scored.
16u
We have been waiting for such a match, people! 5-Star West 16u-Black and the East Cobb Astros provided us the game we wanted to witness with an instant classic.
After Tanner Langley doubled in the leadoff spot, 5-Star West shouted their desire to the fans. Immediately after, Gryson Cockrell hit a single to bring in Langley and start the scoring.
However, it turned out this was going to be a pitchers' duel. Starting pitcher Nicholas Torres gave 5-Star a strong start, going four innings, allowing just one run, and 67% strikes out of the batters he faced.
After the first inning, Astros starting pitcher Hunter Atkins settled in. He pitched five innings, gave up one run, and had seven strikeouts to conclude with a quality outing.
The bats had been quiet until Taylor Sunderhaus led off the bottom of the fourth with a double down the left field line and he later scored to tie the game via a ground ball.
The Astros wanted to take the lead in this game for the first time after Noah Jordi, who pitched two scoreless innings, recorded a massive zero after the sixth inning. Tyler McDevitt doubled in an RBI after a walk and sacrifice bunt to give them a 2-1 lead while still hunting for more. Another walk was followed by Noah Jordi's RBI single, increasing their lead by another run.
Aidan Harris, who went 2-2 with an RBI, is another worth noting player.
Coach Harris is incredibly proud of his team. "The kids engaged in strong play. There is no need for me to worry about the effort. Every at-bat counts, and they never give up" according to Coach Todd Harris. "A lot of guys stepped up for us as well. We had some pitching challenges, but some players came up and performed well for us."
15u
On Monday afternoon, the East Cobb Astros 15u Texas Orange took on the Georgia Jackets 15u for the championship title. In an offensive battle, the Astros came out on top with a 13-7 win over the Jackets.
The Jackets got off to a strong start in the bottom of the first inning scoring six of their nine runs. Seven of their ten batters in the lineup recorded at least one hit on the afternoon. Jackson Cox went 2-for-3 at the plate and Jude Cascone went 2-for-4 having some strong at-bats throughout the game. Brice Gillis, Cascone, Christian Starks, and Luke Hill all combined for six RBIs.
The Astros answered back and got things going in the top of the second and continued to have explosive at-bats through the entirety of the game. Braydon Wright was a powerhouse at the plate all afternoon, going 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, and three RBIs.
14u
The Georgia Jackets and 6-4-3 Dp Cougars went head-to-head in the 14u championship on Monday afternoon. The Jackets got their offensive momentum rolling in the bottom of the first after Roshan Bullard drove a single to center field, scoring Amari Reynolds and Taylor Markakis. The Cougars were able to answer back in the top of the fourth, scoring four runs off of some solid at-bats from Frankie Boyle, Jack Johnson, Walker Killimett, and Austin Tamborra.
Despite the comeback the Jackets were able to open the floodgates in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs to extend their lead 9-4. Reynolds got things going with a line drive single to left field, scoring Luke Wein. From there, Markakis knocked in two runs off a double to the left side, and David Bowman and Ty Carter combined to put up a pair of RBIs in the fifth.
Defensively Bullard got the start on the mound for the Jackets, working consistently in the 83-86 mph range. Carter then came in for relief, limiting the Cougars to zero hits and zero runs, clinching the 9-5 victory.
13u
Team Elite 13u National faced off against the 6-4-3 Dp Cougars in the 13u championship and walked away with a 13-3 victory and the championship title. All evening Team Elite got after it at the plate with 13 hits to the Cougars' five. Nicholas Machusko and Zach Koons led things offensively, combining for four runs scored. Machusko went 2-for-3 at the plate and started off strong, drilling a pitch from Brayden Varnes to the trees for a two-run homer. Koons had two line drive singles on the afternoon, going 2-for-2 at the plate.
Parker Perkins, Marcus Labouchere, and Cal Pearson got the offensive momentum going for the Cougars in the top of the fourth, scoring the Cougars' three runs. Team Elite pitchers Bobby Smithnosky and Breck Hemphill were able to limit the Cougars to five hits, striking out eight collectively through just five innings. Smithnosky had seven of the eight strikeouts, walking only one Cougar batter.