Regionals Game 1: WR 8U Blue 9, Longwood (Fl.) 2

West Raleigh opened play at the 8U Southeast Regional with a 9-2 win over Longwood (Fl.) on Thursday afternoon. 8U Blue used one big inning—a six-run fifth in which 10 hitters went to the plate—and very solid defense to secure the win.

The defense, quietly, was the story of the game. The infield set the tone with a snappy 4-6-3 double play in the first, and West Raleigh was error-free in a full six-inning game for the first time this summer. Other than during a two-run Longwood fourth inning, the 8U Blue defense did not allow a runner past first base.

“I was proud of your toughness in that game,” Coach Sean told the team afterwards. “You never got down and you kept playing.” Part of that toughness was shown by the offense, which plated four of the nine runs with two outs.

The victory moved West Raleigh to 1-0 in pool play in advance of Thursday evening’s nightcap against Southwest (Ga.). The top two teams from each pool advance to Saturday’s single-elimination bracket round.

Game 1 8U Blue scoring plays

Second inning

8U Blue started a two-out rally after the first five hitters of the game had been retired in order. Andrew singled through the middle of the field, then ran hard to beat the throw on Ben’s grounder to second. Elias singled to load the bases, and then Joey came up with a huge two-out, two-run single for the first runs of the game.

Score after one and a half innings: 8U Blue 2, Longwood 0

Third inning

Gavin singled and took second on the throw, and Chace dropped in an RBI single to right-center for another two-out run.

Score after two and a half innings: 8U Blue 3, Longwood 0

Fifth inning

The offense kicked into gear in the fifth. Bryce and JT led off with back to back singles. Gavin singled home Bryce and then took second on the throw. Chace scored both runners and took second on the throw to the plate. Jake’s line drive was caught but moved Chace to third. Andrew singled, but then Carter put together a great two-strike at-bat and drove home Chace. With two outs, Elias hustled out a grounder to short and Andrew sprinted all the way around to score.

Score after four and a half innings: 8U Blue 9, Longwood 2

Game 1 Web Gems

• Bryce, Gavin and Chace teamed up on a sweet 4-6-3 double play to wipe out a leadoff runner in the first.
• Andrew came out of the circle, ranged to his left, avoided a pesky dirt rat that had tied his shoelaces together, and threw to first to retire the leadoff man in the third.
• With one out in the fourth, the Longwood hitter lofted a fly ball to center. Carter was camped under the ball and looked ready to make a play…until Eli came hurtling through time and space to make an unbelievable diving snag. “You have to make it hard,” he said after the game.
• With two outs in the fifth, JT came charging in on a bunt and threw a rocket to Chace at first base to retire the side.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 8U Blue	0	2	1	0	6	0	9	14
Longwood	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	7