SURPRISE, Ariz. - On the second day of the playoffs at the 16U National Team Championships in Arizona, Dante Jackson and Liam Rocha have been named pitcher and player of the day, respectively, for their efforts on July 6.
Jackson (MVP Hustle) tossed a complete game two-hit shutout for his squad today, using an efficient 75 pitches to do so. Jackson threw first pitch strikes to 17 of the 23 batters he faced in his team's quarterfinal matchup against Canyon Thunder while also striking out nine. Jackson also never allowed a runner to pass second base in MVP's 5-0 win to advance to the semifinals later that same afternoon.
Rocha (Sports Academy Dukes) went 1-for-3 at the plate in his semifinal matchup today, knocking crucial walk off single to propel his team into the championship game tomorrow at noon. He stepped up to the plate with the score tied at four and nailed a RBI-single to plate a run and forcing his team to a 5-4 victory. The squad scored all five runs in the final two frames.