Top Gun Batting Helmet Game 1: 919 Nationals 16, Holly Springs Rage 0

The Nationals began tournament play in Angier (whoo hoo!) with a 16-0 three-inning victory over the Holly Springs Rage in the first ever meeting between those two teams.

Everyone in the 919 order scored at least once, as the Nationals got a relatively paltry seven hits but waited out ten walks to post the 16 runs. Three 919 pitchers threw an inning each to combine for the first shutout of 10U play.

The quick victory left the Nationals and their fan club with plenty of time to kill before the second game of the scheduled doubleheader. With Neill’s Creek Park evidently located in a flood zone, several players stole Baker’s soccer ball and created some sort of combination volleyball/soccer/creek jumping game. The rules were a little dubious but most definitely involved lots of going in the mud to get the ball:

 Luckily, Baker and Emily did eventually find someone who was more in line with their athletic ability:

Game 1 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Bryce led off with a single, stole second and third, and scored on JT’s sacrifice fly. Gavin reached on a shot to third, stole second and third, and scored on Brady’s fielder’s choice.

Score after one-half inning: 919 Nationals 2, Rage 0

Second inning

In perhaps the least exciting 14-run inning in baseball history, the Nationals drew nine walks in the inning. Put together with hits from Andrew, Asher, Elias, Bryce and a three-run double from JT, that equated to the 14-run frame that saw everyone in the order score at least one run.

Score after one and a half innings: 919 Nationals 16, Rage 0

Pitching Performances

Elias pitched a hitless first.

Ben went 1-2-3 in the second.

Bryce finished it out with a scoreless third.

Game 1 Web Gems

•    Coach Adam began the day with a web gem by remembering to pack a cooler with ice. No, not in case of injury. In case of Sunni Sky.

•    Gavin ended the game in the third inning with a web gem by making a pop fly to shortstop look extremely exciting, waiting until the last second to back up and then making a sprawling catch for the final out.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
919 Nationals	2	14	0	X	X	X	16	7
Holly Springs Rage	0	0	0	X	X	X	0	1