This time, 8U's offense was a little more potent, carrying them to a 15-0 victory. How good were the bats in this game? The first time through the order, all 12 8U Blue hitters recorded a hit. The onslaught paused only when 8U hit the seven-run limit after 10 batters...then started right up again in the bottom of the second. It wasn't until the 14th hitter of the game that 8U Blue made an out. The seven runs in the first were tied with three other innings this summer for the biggest run production in a single inning this season.
The slugging covered up another solid defensive performance. For the second time in three games, 8U did not allow a hit, and although a 7U runner did make it to second base in the third, no opponent reached third base, making it 13 straight defensive innings without allowing a runner to third base.
Basically, Sunday morning's effort was better in every way than the two games on Saturday. From the pregame dance party to the aggressive offensive approach to the solid defense, 8U Blue was very good in all phases of the game. "That," Coach Sean told the team right after the game, "is what I'm talking about. That right there was fun, and that's how we play baseball."
The victory put 8U into the championship game and gave 7U a chance for redemption in the third-place game against the Showtime team that had upset them on Saturday.
Fortunately, there wasn't much of a break between games, because that prevented the 8U parents from wandering around the complex. The West Raleigh paparazzi captured these two pink-clad looneys a little confused about where they were supposed to be (but look how happy they are about it!):
Game 2 8U Blue scoring plays
First inning
8U Blue unleashed their best inning of the weekend in the bottom of the first. After retiring 7U 1-2-3 in the top of the frame, 8U sent 10 hitters to the plate in the first and picked up 10 hits plus the seven-run limit. Bryce went all the way to second on his leadoff shot to third. JT moved him to third with a single. Gavin drove in the day's first run with a single. Chace powered home JT with a single through the left side, and then some aggressive baserunning also allowed Gavin to score and Chace to go to third. Jake's single scored Chace. Andrew went the other way for an RBI single, scoring Jake, with Andrew moving up to second on the throw. Mason singled Andrew to third. Carter ripped an RBI single through the left side. Ben singled back through the middle. Asher's single scored Mason and enacted the seven-run rule.
Score after one inning: 8U Blue 7, 7U Blue 0
Second inning
The hit parade continued with Joey and Elias bashing back-to-back singles. Bryce singled home Joey. After a fielder's choice, Gavin went the other way for an RBI single and took second when the ball was misplayed. Chace slammed an RBI single. Jake's sacrifice fly scored Gavin. With two outs, 8U added two more runs, as Andrew's double scored Chace, and Mason's single scored Andrew.
Score after two innings: 8U Blue 13, 7U 0
Fourth inning
Asher and Joey started the inning with singles. After two consecutive fielder's choices scored Asher, JT walloped a double to right, and then Gavin singled home Bryce with the 15th and final run due to the 15-run rule.
Score after three innings: 8U Blue 15, 7U 0
Semifinal Web Gems
- The corner infielders combined for a highlight play in the second. 7U's Tucker ripped a shot down
- With the first 7U baserunner on first in the third, Elias fielded a tough hop at third near his waist, then threw to Mason at second to get the force.
| Semifinal line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| WR 7U Blue | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | X | 0 | 0 |
| WR 8U Blue | 7 | 6 | 2 | X | X | X | 15 | 21 |
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