Top Gun World Series Qualifier Game 2: 919 Nationals 7, New Bern Flames 0

Now that looked a little more like the 919 Nationals we know so well, as four pitchers combined on a shutout and the Nats took a 7-0 win over the New Bern Flames 11U in the second game of pool play.

Two-out runs were the story for the offense. Six of the seven runs scored with two down, including all three in a big three-run second that gave 919 all the momentum. Nine different hitters reached base and seven different batters had a hit as the Nationals looked much better at the plate in their second game against 11U competition.

Unfortunately, Coach Sean had to leave early. Without him there to police the length of the postgame meeting, the first warning sign came when Coach Bruce said, “I’ve got my postgame speech written in my phone.” An hour and a half later, just as he said, “And in conclusion…” Lawson had started shaving and it was time to take BP for the first game of bracket play.

The game time for tomorrow will officially be announced later today but will almost certainly be 9 a.m.

Game 2 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Lawson reached on a one-out error, stole second and third, and scored on a fielder’s choice from Banks.

Score after one inning: 919 Nationals 1, New Bern 0

Second inning

With two outs, the combination of four straight singles from Elias, Joey, Asher and Bryce plus some aggressive baserunning (three stolen bases) plated three runs.

Score after two innings: 919 Nationals 4, New Bern 0

Fourth inning

Brady led off with a single and stole second. He moved to third when a throw from the outfield skipped away, then scored on a wild pitch. Elias walked, stole second, and scored on Asher’s two-out single.

Score after four innings: 919 Nationals 6, New Bern 0

Fifth inning

Gavin worked a one-out walk and stole second and third because Coach Sean was in the parking lot with the engine running. He scored on Andrew’s single.

Score after five innings: 919 Nationals 7, New Bern 0

Pitching Performances

Lawson allowed just one hit in two innings.

Bryce threw a hitless third and fanned two.

Joey threw two scoreless frames.

Phil Brady closed it with a scoreless sixth.

Game 2 Web Gems

• With a runner on first and one out in the second, Gavin fielded a grounder up the middle, went smoothly across the bag and threw to Brady to complete the inning-ending 6-3 double play.
•  Bryce ran all the way into foul territory from the pitcher’s mound to snag a pop foul in the third.
• New Bern tried to be aggressive in the third, attempting to score from second on a single to center. But Eli relayed it to Lawson, who fired to Asher blocking the plate for the tag and the collision.
• Brady unleashed a nasty pickoff move on a very sad runner in the sixth. Banks caught the throw, then fired to Lawson covering second to apply the tag.
• Asher threw off the mask and hustled back to the fence to record the second out of the sixth on a foul pop.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
New Bern Flames	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
919 Nationals	1	3	0	2	1	X	7	8