The win was made possible by the hard work of Coach Ken, who heard a rumor that everyone who contributed got a trophy and promptly tried to look busy:
Coach Sean seemed more impressed by the hitting than the housecleaning. "I don't think the New York Yankees could have stopped you guys the way you were hitting the ball today," he told the team after the four-inning victory that was shortened by both the mercy rule and some creative baserunning. "You killed the ball. And I'm also very proud of the way you played that game."
The win moved 7U Blue into the state semifinals, but not before a quick trip to the movie theater for the team. Coach Sean, meanwhile, had other business to take care of.
Game 4 West Raleigh 7U scoring plays
First inning
Laurinburg pushed across a run in the top of the first, marking the first time West Raleigh trailed in the state tournament. It didn't last long. 7U Blue batted around in the first inning for the third time in four games...and then they batted around again. In the same inning.
It started when Trey singled leading off. Joseph followed with a hard-hit single that ended up advancing the runners to second and third. Both scored on Gavin's single back through the middle, and Chace signaled the start of a red-hot Saturday for him with a single to right, scoring Gavin. Jake began his 4-for-4 game with a line drive to right that turned into three bases. Bryce drove him home with a single, and then Mason's hard hit to the left side was too hot to handle. Joey singled to drive in a run and Ben's fielder's choice scored a run. With the bases clear, Asher began the parade again, singling back through the middle. Back at the top of the order, Trey singled. Joseph's blast was caught for two outs, but the scoring wasn't done yet. Fourteen more runs came across with two outs.
That began with Gavin's triple to deep right-center, scoring a pair. Chace and Jake each knocked in runs, and then Mason scored two with a double. Joey's grounder to the left side scored Bryce, and Ben singled to left to score Mason. Asher's single the other way loaded the bases. Elias singled to center to drive in a run, and then Timmy did the same. Gavin picked up his third hit and third RBI of the inning with a single, and Chace did likewise (keep in mind that some of these "singles" might have been much more in a typical situation). Jake blasted yet another line drive, this time scoring Timmy, and Bryce's single scored Gavin. Alex singled in Chace to end the inning--an incredible frame in which every player on the roster got at least one hit.
Score after one inning: WR 7U 22, Laurinburg 1
Second inning
Ben singled with one out and moved to second on Asher's single. Elias got his second straight hit, and Timmy, Gavin and Chace each picked up RBI. Coach Sean also showed good creativity by "accidentally" touching Asher going around third base to get an out.
Score after two innings: WR 7U 25, Laurinburg 1
Game 4 Web Gems
- Joey continued his stellar play in left-center field, making a leaping catch of a potential extra-base hit in the first.
- On the very next hitter, Coach Joe made a ridiculous catch on a foul ball that hit off the alleged "concession stand," where they spent most of their time gleefully counting their money from all the people who had to leave their coolers in the car. Anyway, the ball bounced off the roof, caromed to the side, and Coach Joe made a running catch, after which the PA announcer, who didn't like to hear himself talk at all, informed Coach Joe he could get a lollipop. This is a postgame photo of Coach Joe.
- Back on the field, Gavin jumped high to spear a line drive to end the second.
- In the fourth and final inning, Jake made a stellar scoop of a low throw at first base to get the second out.
| Game 4 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Laurinburg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | 1 | 5 |
| West Raleigh 7U | 22 | 3 | 0 | X | X | X | 25 | 35 |
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