Regionals Quarterfinals: WR 8U Blue 14, Varina (Va.) 0

After yesterday's pool play win over Giles County, 8U Blue talked about the importance of scoring two-out runs. Evidently, the talk made an impression, as they came out and recorded 11 two-out runs in the first inning on the way to a 14-0 four-inning quarterfinal win over the host team, Varina (Va.). In all, 13 of West Raleigh's 14 runs crossed with two outs.

But it was the first inning that was the true explosion. In that frame, every West Raleigh hitter in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, and every player in the starting lineup scored at least one run. For the game, nine different 8U Blue hitters drove in at least one run, making it a true top-to-bottom offensive performance.

After Coach Sean mentioned that he'd like the team to make an effort to lock down the defense, they also responded in that category. West Raleigh played four errorless innings (the game was shortened due to the ten-run rule) and turned two double plays.

At Dorey Park in Varina, the lone batting cage is located at the foot of a small hill. That gives professional photographers like Coach Sandy the chance to get shots like this:

And makes amateur photographers like me look really bad when I think I'm all cool taking a picture of the kids in front of the flagpoles at the top of the hill:

The flags of the state represented by each team were on those flagpoles at the start of the weekend. As you can see, North Carolina is getting a little lonely up there. The four remaining teams that will compete in Sunday's semifinals (10 a.m.) and final (Noon) are:

West Raleigh vs. Longwood (Fl.) in a rematch of the first game of the tournament.
Palm Beach Gardens (Fl.) vs. Julington Creek (Fl.)

The light one-game schedule on Saturday gave the team some time for bowling, and also gave the 8U Blue fans time for a little relaxation:

Now you know why Coach Sean has had to be so strict about limiting pool time.

Quarterfinal 8U Blue scoring plays
First inning
8U Blue put on an offensive clinic in the first inning. It all started with two outs, no runs in, and JT on third base. Chace lined an RBI single, and then Chace powered an RBI double. Joey singled and took second when Varina (unsuccessfully) tried to get Chace at the plate. Andrew singled and likewise moved up to second on the throw, as Joey scored. Elias singled, putting runners at the corners. Ben singled home Andrew, and then Asher singled home Elias. Bryce singled to score Ben and took second on the throw, and then JT plated a pair with a double. Gavin made it back-to-back doubles with an RBI shot, and then Chace collected his second RBI of the inning with a single.
Score after one inning: 8U Blue 11, Varina 0

Second inning
Elias reached on a fielder's choice and then turned on the jets, scoring all the way from second on a grounder to first base.
Score after two innings: 8U Blue 12, Varina 0

Third inning
Gavin laced a one-out single and scored on Chace's double. Joey brought Chace home with a shot to shortstop.
Score after three innings: 8U Blue 14, Varina 0

Quarterfinal Web Gems

• Two of the four defensive innings ended with double plays. The first time it happened was in the first, as Varina put runners on first and second with one out. But the next hitter slapped a grounder at Andrew, who fired to JT at third. Not content with just one out, JT then loaded up and fired across the diamond to Chace to retire the hitter.
• Andrew dove in front of the machine--keeping the ball from hitting the machine and thereby saving a base--to snag a hot shot, then threw to first for the out.
• On the very next hitter of the second inning, Ben made a long run back into the right-center gap to track down a fly ball.
• West Raleigh ended the game in style. With a runner on first, Gavin scooped up a grounder, tossed to Bryce at second, who then relayed on to Chace for the snappy 6-4-3 double play. 

Quarterfinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Varina	0	0	0	0	X	X	0	5
WR 8U Blue	11	1	2	X	X	X	14	17