Top Gun Battle for the Bats Game 2: 919 Nationals 16, Granville Storm 2

919 finished off a perfect first day of 10U competition with a 16-2 victory in the first-ever meeting with the Granville Storm. The Nationals got just enough offense to take advantage of seven walks and a hit batter. They paired that productivity with stingy pitching (just three walks allowed) and solid defense (error-free and five different web gems) in a game that was shortened to four innings due to the run rule.

The first day saw seven different pitchers throw in the nine innings played, as the Nationals showed off some impressive depth on the mound.

The win left the Nats 2-0 in pool play, with seedings and times (most likely 2 p.m. on Sunday) coming later tonight. With multiple 919 teams playing in Rocky Mount, the 10Us (still seems weird to call them that) caught up with the 9Us (still seems weird to call them that, too) after the game:

Game 2 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Bryce drew a leadoff walk and stole second and third. JT walked and stole second. Gavin’s single scored Bryce and sent JT to third. Chace walked. After an out at the plate, Brady singled. Banks reached on a fielder’s choice. Joey sliced a two-run double. Elias beat out a ball to the left side. Andrew blasted a two-run double.

Score after one inning: 919 Nationals 7, Storm 2

Second inning

Bryce singled and stole second. A wild pitch moved him to third. JT walked and stole second. Chace singled home Bryce. Brady collected an RBI groundout. Banks walked. Joey walked. A wild pitch scored Chace. Elias walked. A pair of wild pitches, plus a throwing error by the catcher, scored three more 919 runs in the rare seven-run inning that included only three hits.

Score after two innings: 919 Nationals 14, Storm 2

Third inning

Bryce, JT and Gavin put together three straight singles to score a run. Chace’s fielder’s choice moved JT to third, where a wild pitch scored him.

Score after three innings: 919 Nationals 16, Storm 2

Pitching Performances

Asher started and threw well.

Brady pitched a scoreless second.

Andrew struck out the side in the third.

Gavin finished it out by setting down the side in order in the fourth.

Game 2 Web Gems

•    Bryce went up the middle from second to cut off a potential single

•    With the bases loaded in the second, Bryce raced over to field a pop fly and doubled the runner off first.

•    Now over at shortstop, Bryce continued his Day Of Web Gems by fielding a ball almost on the edge of the outfield glass, then gunning across to first to get the out.

•    On the next hitter, Asher made a diving, sprawling catch in right.

•    Bryce finished off the Inning Of Web Gems on the next hitter by backing up on a pop fly over his head and making the play.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Granville Storm	2	0	0	0	X	X	2	4
919 Nationals	7	7	2	X	X	X	16	10