Top Gun Batting Helmet Championship: 919 Nationals 13, Carolina Quick Strike 6

The 919 Nationals claimed their first-ever 10U tournament with a 13-6 win over the Carolina Quick Strike.

 In a game that started out feeling like a tense, one-run type of game that actually ended up stretching well into the Angier night, the Nationals were actually outhit 9-7, but managed to take advantage of nine walks and two hit batters to generate the 13 runs. 919 pitchers, in contrast, walked just three on the way to the title.

Cumulatively, 919 outscored four opponents 52-14 in the four games in Sunni Skyville Angier and scored in every inning except three.

As expected, Coach Sean was thrilled with the victory...by his fantasy football team. Oh, he was also happy about the baseball. So happy, in fact, that he informed the boys they get to practice tomorrow at 5 at Ephesus. 

Championship Nationals scoring plays

First inning

With one out, JT singled and went to second on a balk. Gavin's fielder's choice moved him to third, and Chace drove him in with a single.

Score after one-half inning: 919 Nationals 1, Quick Strike 0

Second inning

With one out, Banks was hit by a pitch and stole second. Andrew singled and stole second. Ben was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, or, in the vernacular of the 919 dugout, putting "ducks on the pond, frogs on the lilypad, sharks in the water, teeth on the gums and waffles on the plate." Elias beat out a run-scoring fielder's choice. Joey drew an RBI walk, and then Ben scored on a passed ball. Asher's fielder's choice scored Eli.

Score after one and a half innings: 919 Nationals 5, Quick Strike 0

Fourth inning

Andrew blasted a double. Then Ben hit a fielder's choice to the right side, and Andrew never slowed down hustling around third base and scored the game's sixth run.

Score after four innings: 919 Nationals 6, Quick Strike 1

Fifth inning

Joey and Asher led off with back to back walks. Bryce singled, scoring Joey. Bryce stole second, then Asher scored on a wild pitch, which moved Bryce to third. After JT walked and stole second, Chace's fielder's choice scored Bryce and put JT at third, where he scored on a wild pitch. Chace stole second, then scored on a single by Brady. Brady moved to second on a throwing error, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch.

Score after four and a half innings: 919 Nationals 12, Quick Strike 3

Sixth inning

Joey drew a one-out walk, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch, where he scored on Asher's single.

Score after five and a half innings: 919 Nationals 13, Quick Strike 5

Pitching Performances

Banks shut out the Quick Strike over the first two innings.

Bryce worked two strong frames.

Asher got the Nats out of some trouble in the fourth.

Gavin closed it out.

Championship Web Gems

•    With a runner on second in the third inning, JT fielded a hot shot to third, then caught the napping runner in a rundown that ended with him being tagged out at second.

•    With a runner on first in the fourth, Banks had to race over to the fence to field a pop foul near first. Despite a fan yelling "I got it" in an attempt to distract a 10-year-old who was running near a brick wall, Banks made the catch and retired the side. 

•    With a runner on second in the sixth, Chace fielded a ground ball at third and not only froze the runner, he had him diving back into the bag. Chace then made a strong throw to first to retire the hitter.

Championship line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
919 Nationals	1	4	0	1	6	1	13	7
Quick Strike	0	0	1	2	2	1	6	9