CARY, N.C. - The Northwest Stripes one-hit and defeated the Southeast Stars 3-1 to win the 16U 2019 NTIS Champions Cup on Sunday at Coleman Field in Cary, North Carolina.
Taber Fast started the game and earned the win for The Northwest Stripes, only allowing one hit and one run through four innings pitched. Francis Freenor entered the game in the fifth and held the Southeast Stars scoreless through two innings pitched. In the top of the seventh, Lucas Kelly took the mound and earned the save for is squad.
The Northwest Stripes second baseman, Gary Hall, was a vital part of his team's success in the gold medal game, recording several highlight-reel plays on the field. Hall attributes his stellar play to his teammates having his back.
"We are like a pack. That is just how we roll. We all make plays and we all give each other fist bumps. That is just how we work," Hall said. "As a team, we have really good chemistry. We all joke around and like to have fun. I think the main point in sports is to have fun and of course it feels great to win."
The head coach of the Northwest Stripes, Kevin Kopple, reiterated what his second baseman said when asked about why the Northwest Stripes were so successful at the 2019 16U NTIS Champions Cup.
"Just for them to be able to get through this weekend and stay consistent, I think it was an awesome experience. It was a great group of kids to be around," Kopple said. "My team had a lot of personality, but that is what makes it fun. My team got along well, created friendships and bonds that made this a great experience for everyone."
Key Moments:
• In the bottom of the first and with a man on third, Robert Hipwell hit an RBI-single to bring home the Northwest Stripes first run of the game.
• With a runner on second in the bottom of the second, the Northwest Stripes' Logan Johnstone hit a liner up the middle to plate the second run of the game for his team, making the score 2-0.
• In the top of the third, the Northwest Stripes' Gary Hall dove for a hard-hit grounder up the middle, collected the ball, and threw to first to get the out and end the inning.
• In the top of the fifth, the Southeast Stars' Christopher Landaas took advantage of a wild pitch and reached home, scoring his team's only run of the game and bringing the score to 3-1.
Social Media:
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