The seven runs scored in the nightcap's second inning brought West Raleigh's second-inning total this weekend in Laurinburg to 40 runs in four games. It also meant that West Raleigh didn't play more than four innings in any of the pool play games, and averaged 19.3 runs per game in pool play.
Topsail made it close after one, trailing just 4-2, but they got just one more hit the rest of the way and had a potential third run thrown out at the plate, which seemed to take some of their momentum.
The win gave West Raleigh the top seed in Sunday's single-elimination bracket, which can be found here:
The quarterfinal game against Winterville is a rematch of the first game in pool play. Bracket play begins at noon, with very fast turnarounds and the potential of three games in six hours in steamy Laurinburg. Follow us on Twitter for updates during the day.
Game 4 8U Blue scoring plays
First inning
With one out, JT doubled to right-center. Gavin made it back-to-back doubles with an RBI two-bagger, and then Chace ripped a triple to left. Jake crushed a long blast to right-center that scored Chace and put Jake on third, where he scored easily on Andrew's single.
Score after one-half inning: 8U Blue 4, Topsail 0
Second inning
8U Blue batted around for the first of two times in the game, sending 11 batters to the plate. With one out, Bryce singled. JT dropped down a perfect bunt single to put two on for Gavin, who cleared the bases with a long rocket to right-center. Chace and Jake started the offense again with back-to-back singles. Andrew drove in Chace with a single. Joey ripped a shot past shortstop that brought in a pair. Ben singled home Joey to finish the scoring.
Score after two innings: 8U Blue 11, Topsail 2
Third inning
And for the second straight inning, West Raleigh batted around again. This time, it was 12 hitters who brought in seven runs. And for the third straight inning, it started with one out. This time it was JT who reached on a ball to shortstop, then moved to second on Gavin's single. With two outs, the offense was just getting started. Jake singled home JT. Andrew turned on an inside pitch and lashed it into left, putting it in a perfect spot to use his speed and race all the way around the bases for a three-run homer. Joey kept the rally going with a single, then Ben doubled to left-center. Elias singled home a pair, Carter reached on a ball in the middle of the infield, and then Bryce singled home Elias to finish the scoring.
Score after two and a half innings: 8U Blue 18, Topsail 2
Fourth inning
Gavin, Chace and Jake loaded the bases with no outs. Andrew and Joey each singled home a run to finish the day's scoring.
Score after three and a half innings: 8U Blue 20, Topsail 2
Game 4 Web Gems
- On the first Topsail hitter of the game, JT made a sweet play on the third-base line. The batter chopped it straight down the line, but he took one step to his right, backhanded the ball, then threw all the way across the diamond to retire the hitter easily.
- In the second, 8U Blue turned its fourth inning-ending double play in as many games in Laurinburg. But this one was a little different. With a runner on third and one out, the hitter slapped a grounder straight to JT. He froze the runner, then threw to first to complete the first half of the double play. That's when the runner on third broke for home. Chace fired a perfect strike to Asher, who held on and applied the tag as the runner "slid into home" to finish the double play.
- Bryce came across the middle and speared a sinking liner just above the grass for the first out of the third inning.
| Game 4 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| WR 8U Blue | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | X | X | 20 | 22 |
| Topsail | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | 2 | 4 |
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