WWS Silver Championship: 911 Nationals 14, Rock Solid Red 2

The newly-renamed 911 Nationals (you had to be there) took the silver bracket title at the Winter World Series with a 14-2 win over Rock Solid Red. The offensive explosion was highlighted by a 12-run third inning in which 919 911 sent 17 hitters to the plate.

After a rough day Saturday, 911 bounced back with an impressive Sunday in which they outscored two opponents by a combined 24-2 in just six offensive innings. Congratulations on a great Sunday and a very fun fall:

Also, Tarboro police have put out an all points bulletin for the following sketchy looking individuals. Anyone who spots them is asked to call 911 (the number, not the team):

Championship 911 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Elias walked and went to third on a single by Banks. Gavin singled home Elias and then stole second. Brady drove in Banks.

Score after one inning: 911 Nationals 2, Rock Solid Red 2

Third inning

Elias led off with a single and stole second. Banks walked. Gavin doubled in Elias. Andrew blasted a three-run home run and then was greeted with the silent treatment when he returned to the dugout:

Now, while all this silent treatment was going on, the umpires (who in all honesty, were the best umpires we've had all fall) were deciding the home run was actually a ground rule double. But then the Rock Solid center fielder came running in and testified the ball had easily cleared the fence on the fly, and the homer-turned-double was again a home run.
Oh, and the inning was just getting started. Brady walked. JT doubled him to third. A wild pitch scored Brady. Bryce walked and stole second. Chace was hit by a pitch. Colin's fly ball to right wasn't caught and scored a pair. Asher walked. Elias drew an RBI walk. A wild pitch scored Colin. Banks walked. Gavin singled home Asher. A wild pitch scored Elias, and then Banks scored on an error.

Score after three innings: 911 Nationals 14, Rock Solid Red 2

Pitching Performances

Andrew started and went three impressive innings, striking out three and retiring the final six hitters he faced in order.

Banks closed it out with a hitless fourth inning.

Dugout Wisdom

Here is Gavin doing his best auctioneer audition:

After spending most of the third inning honing his skills, Gavin explained, "See, that part at the end is where I sell it to somebody." Thanks for the explanation.

Championship Web Gems

• Colin made a sweet backhand burrito stop of a grounder up the middle in the first.
• The 911 defense overall played four error-free defensive innings, and had just one error in the eight innings of action on Sunday.

Championship line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Rock Solid Red	2	0	0	0	X	X	2	2
911 Nationals	2	0	12	X	X	X	14	9

WWS Silver Semifinal: 919 Nationals 10, Virginia Stars Red 0

Something very exciting happened before Sunday's silver bracket Winter World Series semifinal: the Nats discovered there was a pull-up bar near the batting cage. The world champion couldn't resist:

Shortly after Andrew did 26 pull-ups, Coach Sean did 27, but unfortunately that wasn't captured on film. This was, though:

All the weightlifting proved beneficial, because 919 exploded for seven first-inning runs against Virginia Stars Red, and that was more than enough offense to back a terrific pitching effort from Elias and Brady, who combined on a two-hit shutout.

The most notable stat from the offense: the Nationals collected 20 TABs, including every hitter in the 11-batter order recording a TAB the first time through the order. That is believed to be a world record by everyone except Gavin.

The win moved 919 into the championship game, but first they had to wait around in what are proving to be very dangerous surroundings:

Semifinal 919 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Elias walked and stole second. A wild pitch moved him to third. Banks walked and stole second. Gavin tripled home a pair, then scored on a wild pitch. Andrew singled and scored on Brady's double. JT singled and stole second. Bryce singled home Brady. JT scored on Ben's fielder's choice. Bryce scored on Chace's fielder's choice. 

Score after one inning: 919 Nationals 7, Virginia Stars Red 0

Third inning

Andrew smoked a leadoff double and went to third on Brady's fielder's choice. JT was hit by a pitch. Bryce drove in Andrew. Ben's sacrifice fly scored JT.

Score after three innings: 919 Nationals 9, Virginia Stars Red 0

Fourth inning
Chace hit a leadoff single. Asher sacrificed him to second. Chace stole third and then scored on a throwing error.
Score after four innings: 919 Nationals 10, Virginia Stars Red 0

Pitching Performances

Elias went three shutout innings, allowing just two hits. At one point, he retired four batters on a total of four pitches.

Brady closed it out with a 1-2-3 fourth and needed just seven pitches to do it.

Dugout Wisdom

Colin: "OK, on the count of three, say a restaurant where you can get breakfast."
Asher: "Wait. Can it be brunch?"
Colin: "Uh, OK. 1-2-3...Brigs!"
Asher (simultaneously): "7-11!"
Colin: (Mystified)

Semifinal Web Gems

• Elias, Chace and Gavin teamed up to pick off the leadoff man in the first.
• JT made a diving stop going to his left to snare a grounder, then threw to Colin at second to get the force in the second.
• With a runner on third, Elias stopped a grounder in the third, froze the runner on third base, and then tossed to first to get the out and keep the Stars scoreless.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Virginia Stars Red	0	0	0	0	X	X	0	2
919 Nationals	7	0	2	1	X	X	10	8

Winter World Series Play-in: Carolina Quick Strike 6, 919 Nationals 5

The string of close games continued, as 919 and Carolina Quick Strike played their third consecutive white-knuckler, with the Quick Strike taking a 6-5 victory in the bottom of the fifth. The one-run decision is 919’s fourth one-run game in the past five contests.

This one was a little different, as the Nationals held a couple brief leads, but Quick Strike fought back each time before scoring the game-tying and game-winning runs in the bottom of the fifth after the time limit had expired.

The Nats actually outhit Quick Strike 8-5, but were undone by a failure to get that one big hit that opens the floodgates. For the game, nine 919 runners were left on base, with eight of them in scoring position.

Coupled with the day’s earlier loss to the RBA Thunder, the defeat marks the first time this group has ever lost twice in the same day, and also puts them in the silver bracket for the first time ever. Silver bracket play begins on Sunday afternoon.

Play-in 919 Nationals scoring plays

Second inning

Andrew walked and stole second. A wild pitch moved him to third, and a wild pitch scored him. Brady reached on a shot through the shortstop. Colin singled. Asher reached on a ball through the shortstop. Bryce lined an RBI single. Colin scored on a wild pitch.

Score after one and a half innings: 919 Nationals 3, Quick Strike 1

Fourth inning

JT smacked a leadoff single and went to second when the ball was misplayed. Elias walked. Colin ripped a single to load the bases. Asher drew an RBI walk.

Score after three and a half innings: 919 Nationals 4, Quick Strike 4

Fifth inning

Chace walked and went to second on a fielder’s choice. A wild pitch put him on third, and Andrew’s sacrifice fly scored him.

Score after four and a half innings: 919 Nationals 5, Quick Strike 4

Pitching Performances

Colin started and went two and two thirds strong innings.

Banks fired a perfect inning and a third of relief.

Gavin recorded a strikeout in the fifth.

Dugout wisdom

Gavin: “We’ve got to stop swinging at high pitches. We’ve been doing it all weekend. Well, today and last night at least.”

Andrew: “That’s all weekend.”

Gavin: “Yeah.”

Play-in Web Gems

•   Colin played a tough hop smoothly at second to retire the leadoff man in the fourth.

•   Gavin and Colin worked a nice pickoff move at second to get the second out in the fifth.

Play-in line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
919 Nationals	0	3	0	1	1	X	5	8
Quick Strike	1	2	1	0	2	X	6	5

Winter World Series Game 2: RBA South 6, 919 Nationals 5

The 919 offense never really got on track, and one more comeback fell just short as RBA South took a 6-5 win in the second game of pool play in Tarboro at the Winter World Series.

The Nats fell behind 3-1 in the first and mustered just four hits for the game and posted only 11 TABs. They spent the entire afternoon trying to battle back, but never were able to pull even. The time limit eventually expired in the bottom of the fifth.

The game was the third one-run game in 919's last four contests. The 1-1 record means 919 must wait for the outcome of the 2 p.m. games to learn seedings for the play-in round, but an 8:30 start tonight in Tarboro appears likely. The full bracket is available here.

Game 2 919 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Banks walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on Chace's fielder's choice.

Score after one-half inning: 919 Nationals 1, RBA South 0

Fourth inning

Gavin led off with a single and went to second on an error. A balk moved him to third, and then he sprinted home with some mid-air jukes to score the run.

Score after three and a half innings: RBA South 3, 919 Nationals 2

Fifth inning
Colin worked a one-out walk and stole second. Asher singled. Elias blasted an RBI double. Banks coaxed a two-out walk. Gavin singled in a pair.
Score after four and a half innings: RBA South 6, 919 Nationals 5

Pitching Performances

Ben started and picked up a strikeout.

JT came in for two and a third innings of excellent scoreless relief.

Colin picked up the leadoff out in the fourth.

Bryce worked out of trouble in the fourth and escaped a jam.

Dugout Wisdom

One of the few highlights actually came in the field, not in the dugout. With runners on first and second, the RBA hitter slapped a grounder to second. Bryce flipped to Gavin, but the umpire called him safe. The following conversation ensued:
Coach Kevin: "What did you see?"
Umpire: "I saw him miss the tag on the runner."
Coach Kevin: "OK. Except it was a force."
Umpire: "Oh."

To their credit, the umpires then talked it out and got the call correct. It turns out it is indeed a force when a runner goes from first to second. The more you know.

Game 2 Web Gems

• Asher threw to Bryce at third, who applied the quick tag to get a runner stealing third in the first.
• JT came flying in from the pitcher's mound with a diving effort to snag a pop fly just before it hit the dirt. 
• Good play by the home plate umpire to kill a bee while Chace was at bat. 

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
919 Nationals	1	0	0	1	3	X	5	4
RBA South	3	0	0	3	X	X	6	8

Winter World Series Game 1: 919 Nationals 9, Carolina Quick Strike 8

The 919 Nationals began Winter World Series play in Tarboro on Friday night, where danger was in the air:

It turned out that the main danger wasn't actually flying balls. It was really the flying bats pterodactyls mosquitos, which drew blood from Coach Kevin and Coach Adam before the game.

This was the 13th game of the fall, but--at least according to the umpire who was calling the balks balls and strikes--was the first one of the fall played under HIGH SCHOOL RULES. The matchup, a repeat of last year's Winter World Series semifinal against the Carolina Quick Strike, was once again a very competitive affair, with 919 eventually pulling out a 9-8 win after the game went to the international tiebreaker.

The game was highlighted by one big inning--a six-run third--and then a pair of very tough, battling innings to tie the game and force an extra frame. Trailing 8-6 going into the bottom of the fifth (good job winning the coin toss, Coach Kevin!), 919 scrapped together two runs on a pair of hits to tie the game. Since the time limit had elapsed, HIGH SCHOOL RULES authorities had to be consulted, and they eventually decided the game had to go to an international tiebreaker. This meant that only Spanish could be used, putting the Nats in great shape thanks to Elias.

Oh wait, that's a different international rule. This time, it meant a runner was put on second base to lead off the inning. In the top of the sixth, Chace worked around the runner and held the Quick Strike scoreless. Then the Nats quickly loaded the bases, allowing Colin to walk it off to clinch the victory. The win was the second walk-off victory in the last three games.

The game moves 919 to 1-0 in pool play, with the second game of pool play coming on Saturday at noon back at HIGH SCHOOL RULES Stadium.

Game 1 919 Nationals scoring plays

Third inning

Elias reached on a shot to the left side and stole second. Banks ripped a one-out RBI single and took second on the throw to the plate. Gavin lined a double, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Ben hit a two-out single and went to second on a balk. A wild pitch moved him to third, and another wild pitch scored him. Andrew and Brady walked. JT's shot to short wasn't fielded, scoring Andrew. JT and Brady worked a double steal, with Brady scoring.

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

Fifth inning

Banks hit a leadoff single and went to second on a balk. Gavin singled, with Banks crossing the plate and Gavin moving up to second. A wild pitch put Gavin on third, and Chace's fielder's choice scored him.

Score after five innings: 919 Nationals 8, Quick Strike 8

Sixth inning
Andrew started the inning on second due to the international tiebreaker. Brady and JT walked. Colin smacked a bases-loaded grounder through the drawn-in infield to win the game.
Score after six innings: 919 Nationals 9, Quick Strike 8

Pitching Performances

Asher started and went three strong innings, including retiring the final seven batters he faced in order.

Andrew somehow managed to pitch through the Friday night strike zone in the fourth.

Bryce "Gorilla Arm" Dail faced two hitters in the fifth.

Chace finished it up with two very effective innings of relief, including working out of the international tiebreaker scenario in the sixth.

Dugout Wisdom

In the process of sliding home safely, Brady took the throw off the kneecap. As he returned to the dugout, and after Coach Kevin asked if it needed to be kissed and made better, Ben said, "You know Miss Giovanna will kiss it and make it better."
Giovanna, who just so happened to be standing near the dugout, barked, "WHO SAID THAT?"
Without missing a beat, Ben quickly replied, "Not me!"

Game 1 Web Gems

• Bryce fired to JT to nab a runner stealing third in the first.
• Chace came in hard from left, picked up a two-hopper, and threw to third to get a force in the first.
• JT picked up a "backhand burrito" down the line in the second, then fired across the diamond to first to get the final out of the second.
• After the batter struck out for the second out of the third, Bryce chased down the ball and threw to first to finish the out.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Carolina QS	1	0	0	5	2	0	8	5
919 Nationals	0	0	6	0	2	1	9	8

Top Gun Pink Out Championship: 919 Nationals 13, Durham Indians 8

Despite the fact that the Durham Indians and 919 both play fairly consistently in and around the Triangle, Sunday's championship game marked the first meeting since the fall of 2012 (the infamous "This is travel ball!" game). This one was a little closer but ended the same way: with a 919 victory, as the Nationals took a 13-8 victory and the Top Gun Pink Out championship. The victory marks the second straight tournament title for 919.

The championship was powered by a huge nine-run fifth inning, which featured a pair of home runs, including a tie breaking grand slam from Elias. In all, the 919 offense generated 13 hits and had a runner in scoring position in every inning, putting constant pressure on the Indians defense.

Here's a happy view of the impending celebration after Eli's grand slam:

As would only be appropriate, the championship was celebrated at the finest establishment in all of Angier:

Championship 919 Nationals scoring plays

First inning

Gavin reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, then scored on Chace's two-out single.

Score after one-half inning: 919 Nationals 1, Durham Indians 0

Fourth inning

Banks worked a leadoff walk. Gavin ripped an RBI double. Chace lifted an RBI sacrifice fly.

Score after three and a half innings: 919 Nationals 3, Durham Indians 3

Fifth inning
Brady reached on a shot to left and stole second. JT doubled him home. Colin singled and took second on the throw. Asher singled to load the bases. Eli went deep to center for a fence-clearing grand slam. Bryce singled. Banks singled and stole second. Gavin crushed a three-run homer to left and then was greeted with the silent treatment in the dugout, prompting him to give air-high fives to imaginary teammates since his actual teammates were pretending to ignore him. Chace reached on a ball to third, then stole second, went to third on a fielder's choice and scored on Andrew's sacrifice fly.
Score after four and a half innings: 919 Nationals 12, Durham Indians 4

Sixth inning
Asher lined a one-out double, went to third on Elias' fielder's choice, then scored when the ball was thrown away.
Score after five and a half innings: 919 Nationals 13, Durham Indians 6

Pitching Performances

Bryce started and went two and a third tough innings, walking just one.

Chace relieved and fired one and two thirds innings of solid relief, working out of a tough spot in the third.

Asher finished it with two good innings of relief, including getting out of a two-on, none-out jam in the fifth.

Dugout Wisdom

There was a fairly extensive conversation led by Coach Fred focusing on the role of the third base coach and the fact that, you know, it's a pretty good idea for the players to actually watch the third base coach and do what he says. Once the players returned to the dugout, they were talking about the role of the coaches, and Brady pointed out, "The first base coach is there to hold your protective gear after you get on base." Keep up the valuable work, Coach Sean!

Championship Web Gems

• After reaching on a single in the second, the runner was gunned down trying to steal second after a solid throw from Asher and a great tag from Colin.
• Chace stayed with a hard two-hopper to third in the second, then threw across for the out.
• Elias ended the all-web gem second inning with a diving catch in center.
• Elias made another web gem play in the third, running down a ball in the gap to get the out.
• The 919 defense end the fourth with a double play, as Colin speared a line drive, then flipped to Gavin at second to double off the runner.
• Bryce picked off a runner getting an aggressive secondary lead from first to end the fifth.

Championship line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
919 Nationals	1	0	0	2	9	1	13	13
Durham Indians	1	0	2	1	2	2	8	9

Top Gun Pink Out Semifinals: 919 Nationals 6, Rivercats 5

With a heart-stopping four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth, the 919 Nationals came back for a 6-5 win over the Rivercats in the semifinals of the Top Gun Pink Out tournament.

Against a knuckleball-heavy pitcher who was very effective with his control (no walks through the first five innings), the 919 offense struggled to put together a series of hits, managing just five hits in the first five frames. That all changed going into the bottom of the sixth while facing a 5-2 deficit, as the Nats scored four runs with two outs to take the walk-off win, 6-5.

The game was also a nice reminder that we should all be very thankful that our kids play for such a quality organization. I say this because in a pregame conversation with the Rivercats coach, I mentioned our kids always like playing in Angier for obvious reasons. His response: "Is there an ice cream place in Angier?"

COME ON PEOPLE, GET IT TOGETHER. I like the Rivercats coach a lot, but some things are inexcusable. So next time you are ticked off about playing time or wish your kid was hitting somewhere different in the batting order, just remember: you could be playing with a team that goes to Angier and doesn't realize they should stop at Sunni Sky's. WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE THESE PEOPLE LIVING IN?

Oh yeah, almost forgot: 919 advanced to the championship game.

Semifinal 919 Nationals scoring plays

Fourth inning

Bryce singled and moved to second on Banks' fielder's choice. Gavin tripled home Bryce and scored on Chace's fielder's choice.

Score after four innings: 919 Nationals 2, Rivercats 1

Sixth inning

Colin ignited the rally with a single. Elias was hit by a pitch. A fielder's choice put runners on first and third with two outs and 919 still staring at a 5-2 deficit. Bryce stole second. Banks walked to load the bases. Gavin lined a two-run single. Chace's fly ball to the right side fell safely, scoring Banks and tying the game. A wild pitch moved Gavin to third with the winning run, and then Ben walked it off with a single. 

Score after six innings: 919 Nationals 6, Rivercats 5

Pitching Performances

Andrew started, went three innings, and at one point struck out five batters in a row, all of them looking.

Colin worked through the fourth and pitched into the fifth.

Banks closed it out with two innings of relief, including a 1-2-3 sixth when the ball didn't leave the infield.

Dugout Wisdom

As Andrew mowed down a series of Rivercats in order in the second and third--all five of them looking--the perplexed Rivercats coach would frustratedly announce the latest strikeout count. "That's three!" he barked after three in a row went down looking. "Four!" after the fourth. You get the idea. When 919 returned to the dugout after the third, Bryce said, "It's really nice of their coach to help you keep the stats. He keeps telling you how many strikeouts Andrew has!"

I didn't hear exactly who said this, but with Ben up in the bottom of the sixth and the winning run on third, someone in the dugout said, "Don't worry, Ben is the walk-off king." Looks like they were right.

Semifinal Web Gems

• Andrew flashed a great pickoff move against the leadoff man in the first, and then Banks ran him down to get the out.
• No specific play to single out here, but just a nod to the outfield play all weekend. For the most part, everyone who was in the outfield did a very solid job of taking the right route to balls, getting throws in quickly and to the right place, and limiting hitters to the minimum number of bases possible on any given base hit.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Rivercats	0	0	0	1	4	0	5	9
919 Nationals	0	0	0	2	0	4	6	8