Oh, there was also baseball, as West Raleigh took a 22-0 decision over Wilson County in the nightcap, in a game shortened to four innings by the mercy rule. The game was preceded by the very well-done state tournament opening ceremonies:
8U Blue has had a lot of photos taken so far this year, but I really believe that may be the first one that truly captures the best side of the coaches.
After the ceremonies, West Raleigh played a terrific offensive game, setting season highs for most hits and runs in an inning in a 10-run third that put the game away. Oh, and they also turned two inning-ending double plays and played error-free in the field for the fourth time in the last 10 games.
As expected, Giovanna has really taken to Laurinburg, and even found time to open a business between games today:
Walk-in hours are 7:30-2 on Saturday, so you can either visit her before the 10:30 game against Hamlet, or after that game and before the 4:30 game against Topsail. She might consider going into business with Coach Kevin, and they could open a joint laundromat/barber shop where you can get your smelly jerseys washed while getting your hair cut.
Game 2 8U Blue scoring plays
First inning
Just like the first game, Bryce set the tone with a single to left. JT singled him to second. Gavin singled home Bryce, and Chace drove in a pair with a double. Carter's bullet past third scored Chace.
Score after one inning: 8U Blue 4, Wilson County 0
Second inning
In the biggest inning of the season so far (stay tuned, that record would last only one inning), 8U Blue sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs on nine hits. It started with back-to-back singles from Joey and Asher, and then Bryce scored Joey with a single. With one out, Gavin blasted a ball to deep left-center...made it to second...then raced to third...and then came all the way around for an inside-the-park three-run home run. In addition to scoring three runs, the homer also meant Gavin hit for the cycle in just his first five at-bats of the day. But the offense wasn't finished. Jake reached on a two-out fielder's choice. Andrew tripled, scoring Jake. Carter singled home Andrew. Elias singled, and then Joey and Asher picked up RBI singles.
Score after two innings: 8U Blue 12, Wilson County 0
Third inning
Oh, so you thought the second inning was good? In the third, West Raleigh sent 14 hitters to the plate, scoring 10 runs on 11 hits. JT reached on a shot to shortstop. With one out, Chace singled. Jake drove in JT. Andrew singled. Carter singled and then after an outfield miscue, two runs scored and Carter ended up on second. 8U loaded the bases on a single by Ben. Joey, Asher and Bryce had RBI singles, and then JT drove home a pair with a double. Gavin singled to center, driving in Bryce. Chace singled home JT. The inning ended when Jake singled and Coach Sean--hopefully very, very carefully--tackled Gavin going around third base.
Score after three innings: 8U Blue 22, Wilson County 0
Game 2 Web Gems
- With a runner on first and one out in the first, the batter grounded to Bryce at second. He flipped to Gavin at second for the out, and then Gavin threw a laser ("Laaaaaaser show") to Chace at first for the double play.
- What's better than one inning-ending double play? Doing it two innings in a row. In the second, Wilson County had a runner on first with one out. They probably knew what was coming next. The batter grounded sharply up the middle, where Gavin was there to field it, step on second for the out, then throw to Chace at first for the double play.
- In the third, the Wilson County batter smoked a towering foul ball that scraped the tops of the Laurinburg trees. The ball was crushed, and all the other fans bolted for safety, save for one lone scorekeeper, who stood his ground. "I'll protect you," he shouted, looking for a baby to throw underneath him so he could emulate Coach Sean. The anonymous hero reached up, scorebook in one hand and the hopes and dreams of everyone else in his opposite hand, and smoothly grabbed the ball. "All in a day's work, ma'am," he told the collection of elderly nuns that had been passing by at exactly that moment.
- None of the above is true. Coach Adam is currently in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn Laurinburg getting lessons on how to field a pop foul from Jenn.
| Game 2 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Wilson County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | 0 | 3 |
| WR 8U Blue | 4 | 8 | 10 | X | X | X | 22 | 24 |
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