Winter Park's 8-year-olds, a team that laid down six bunts in 25 trips to the plate, took advantage of a big
second inning that saw them score five times to seize a 5-3 lead--and the momentum. They tacked on two runs in the next frame to stretch their lead to 7-3 after three innings.
That's when West Raleigh began to respond. 7U put up a single run in the fourth and three more in the sixth, and even had the tying run on base in the final inning.
"I was proud of how you fought back," Coach Sean told the team after the game. "We took control of those last couple innings. We will eliminate some of those breakdowns when we throw the ball around."
The chances to improve will come very soon. After a short night at the pool, Blue rolls back to the field for a 9 a.m. rematch against the Efland Hawks. The winner of that game plays the very same Winter Park National team, so tomorrow could bring a pair of rematches--plus maybe even a third game. The team has already shown improvement in an area of emphasis from last weekend, as they allowed zero first-inning runs in Saturday's games after struggling with slow starts last weekend.
Sunday's pregame, or "Breakfast with 7U Blue," begins at 8 a.m. I feel sorry for the WR 8U Blue team, which is going to stumble downstairs around 9:30 Sunday morning and find out that someone already cleaned out the Fruit Loops in the breakfast bar.
For a complete look at Sunday's game times (8U Blue plays at 12:30) and a possible third game, click here.
Game 2 West Raleigh 7U scoring plays
Second inning
As the first installment of his 3-for-3 doubleheader nightcap, Joseph led off with a double to left, then hustled to third when Winter Park had a misplay getting the ball back in to the infield. Bryce drove in JT with the first run of the game on a single, and Mason followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Mason cracked another single that drove in Bryce, and after a single by Timmy, Elias's grounder to short drove in Mason.
Score after one and a half innings: WR 7U 3, WP National 0
Fourth inning
Jake smoked a one-out line drive to right field and motored all the way to third, where he scored easily on Joseph's line drive single to left.
Score after three and a half innings: WP National 7, WR 7U 4
Sixth inning
Joey and Gavin reached on back-to-back grounders to the left side to start the rally. Chace singled back through the middle to drive in Joey, and Jake's hard shot to right scored Gavin. Joseph's RBI single gave him four straight trips to the plate with a hit and drove in the third and final run of the inning.
Score after five and a half innings: WP National 8, WR 7U 7
Game 2 Web Gems
- Mason charged in and gobbled up an attempted bunt to lead off the second, firing to Chace to nail the runner.
- In the third inning, Gavin went deep in the hole between short and third to snag a grounder, hopped up from his knees and made the throw to first to retire the Winter Park leadoff hitter.
- Bryce ranged back onto the outfield grass from second base to catch a pop-up, which was part of a 1-2-3 fourth inning.
- Chace made a nice scoop at first base and then a good return throw to Asher at catcher to complete an inning-ending double play in the fifth.
| Game 2 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| WR 7U Blue | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Winter Park National | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | X | 8 | 5 |
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