District Tournament Game 1: WR 8U Blue 15, NW Daredevils 0

It takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to put together an 8U baseball team. Mostly, this means the moms have a lot of work to do. But there are a few other individuals who contribute mightily to 8U Blue. For example, just take a look at the impressive effort today in getting the team drinks ready:

You'll be glad to know that we didn't give that particular drink to a player. We gave it to Coach Sean, obviously.

The district tournament began Friday night in Wake Forest, with 8U Blue starting the event with a rematch against the North Wake Daredevils, a team they had just faced last weekend at Thomas Brooks. This time, the rules were slightly different--no run limit during innings, only 10 hitters bat rather than continuous batting, and no coolers are allowed in the venue since such delicious water and cups are provided in the dugout.

West Raleigh responded to the new environment with a solid hitting performance and an even better defensive performance, as they played their first completely error-free game of the summer. Just two North Wake runners reached base, and none went past first, as 8U Blue claimed a 15-0 win. The Daredevil hitters continually peppered the WR 8U infield with grounders, and the infield made every play to preserve the win.

The victory sends 8U Blue into an 11 a.m. Saturday matchup against the winner of the West Raleigh 7U-Durham game.

Game 1 8U Blue scoring plays
First inning
8U Blue batted around in the first inning. Bryce started it with a single, then moved to second on a fielder's choice. Gavin doubled to left, scoring Bryce. Chace's shot to shortstop wasn't fielded cleanly, and Gavin ran hard all the way from second to score even when the ball didn't leave the infield. Jake singled to right. Carter's RBI single scored Chace. Mason, on the way to a 4-RBI day, blasted a triple to deep center that cleared the bases. Ben's RBI groundout brought Mason home.
Score after one inning: 8U Blue 6, Daredevils 0

Second inning
Joey reached on a bullet to third. Gavin crushed an RBI triple, and then 8U Blue pulled off the rare back-to-back triples when Chace also ripped one. Jake singled home Chace. With two down, Angry Ben smashed a double to left that scored Jake.
Score after two innings: 8U Blue 10, Daredevils 0

Third inning
Bryce led off for the second time in three innings and singled again, then moved to second when the ball wasn't fielded cleanly. Andrew smoked a double to left and scored Bryce. With one out, Chace and Jake had back to back singles. Carter drove in Andrew, then Mason drove in a pair with a double. After a fielder's choice, Asher's fielder's choice scored Carter with the game's final run.
Score after three innings: 8U Blue 15, Daredevils 0

Game 1 Web Gems

• Chace played a solid first three innings at third base, showing some agility to get to some grounders and also spearing a hard line drive.
• Playing on the right side of the machine in the third, Mason raced over to the line, picked up a nubber, and made a good throw to retire the hitter on what should have been a difficult play. 
• The game ended on a double play. With a runner on first base, the North Wake batter ripped what looked like a single through the left side. But Gavin sprinted into the hole, picked it out of the air, then threw across the diamond to Chace at first to double off the runner and complete the double play.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
NW Daredevils	0	0	0	0	X	X	0	2
WR 8U Blue	6	4	5	X	X	X	15	17