Big League Dreams
9-Under:
Nothing went according to plan in the 9-Under Playoffs. The So Cal Muscle went 0-2 on Saturday, losing to what would become the 1st and 2nd Seeds. Entering Sunday as the 4th Seed, history would dictate that they would fall victim to a higher seed once again. Not ones to follow in other's footsteps, the Muscle had a different idea for Sunday in mind.
Cruising through their Quarterfinal game with a convincing 13-1 victory, it was obvious that they Muscles were, pardon my pun, muscling up at the plate. Advancing to the Semifinal to face the 1st Seed Easton Canes, they kept doing what they do best. Knocking the ball all over the field, they advanced to the finals with a 11-4 upset victory.
Now on their third game of the day, their defense and pitching was feeling a bit sluggish. This didn't slow them down at the plate though, giving up 9 runs, they scored 11 to take home a very unexpected and exciting 1st Place trophy.
10-Under:
Some good old fashioned payback is always enjoyable in tournament play. Redlands Red found themselves on the losing end of their first matchup with Thousand Oaks Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were 2-0 headed into the last Pool Play games on Sunday. Knowing they were advancing to the finals no matter, what, they still put up 15 runs going a perfect 3-0 before the finals. Redlands Red on the other hand, found themselves pitted against another 1-1 team, making their final Pool Play game a crucial must win scenario. Squeaking by with a 3-2 victory, they found themselves back in the finals against the TO Bulldogs.
With adrenaline still flowing from their 3-2 Pool Play victory, Redlands Red came out firing on all cylinders. Holding the Bulldogs to just 4 runs after they scored 15 in their previous game, they put up 7 runs to get some very timely payback and take home the 1st Place Trophy.
Steed Park San Clemente
12-Under:
Usually towards the end of our seasons, we have teams playing up to get themselves ready for moving up in age in a couple months. With the 11-Under and 12-Under divisions playing at the same field distances, the only advantage 12-Under teams have is being a little bigger and playing for one extra year. Every once in a while though, and 11-Under team will come in and give the big boys a run for their money.
The 11-Under SD Show Black did just that. Going into Sunday as the 2nd Seed, they brought their big sticks, scoring 23 runs against 12-Under teams and giving up just 5 runs in their run to a play-up championship.
14-Under:
Even with a 13-Under 60x90 tournament the same weekend, the 13-Under Team Phenom found themselves playing up in the 14-Under tournament like they so often do. Conceding a tie on Saturday to the OCBA Colts, they entered Sunday as the 3rd Seed. Winning their first game of the day, they headed to the finals where they found themselves facing the OCBA Colts once again. Both teams battled back and forth, trading blows evenly over the course of the game. Holding a 1 run lead headed in the 6th, Team Phenom executed a perfect bases loaded suicide squeeze to give them a two run cushion headed into the 7th inning. The Colts got back on of the runs in the Top of the 7th. With the bases empty, and line drive off the fence was fielded cleanly by the Phenom, and the throw to second just beat the Colt's runner, essentially ending the Colt's last minute rally. The Phenom got their third out, and took home another playup 1st Place Trophy.
Thank you to all the teams that played in the Heat. Here is a list of the Champions and Runner-Ups.
See you on the fields
-AC
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