CARY, N.C. - Southwest repeated as the 11U National Team Identification Series Champions cup gold medal winners Sunday morning after Southwest Stars defeated Northwest Stars 8-5 at Thomas Brook Park in Cary, North Carolina.
Both teams came out of the gates hot as the Southwest Stars scored five runs in the top of the first to jump out to an early 5-0 lead, but the Northwest Stars answered back as the first five batters in their half of the inning all reached base safely, helping them to rally for five runs of their own and tying the game at five apiece after one inning of play.
Southwest Stars pulled away in the fourth as Andrew Felizzari singled to left to bring in a run and put Southwest Stars up 6-5. Sean Downs followed with a double to right-center, driving in a pair and extending the Southwest Stars' lead to 8-5.
Carter Hadnot had a big day at the plate for the Southwest Stars, going 3-for-4, including an RBI single to right. He also pitched two innings and recorded three strikeouts to close out the game, earning the save.
"It feels great to win gold," said Hadnot. "It has been a great experience to play here at the NTIS in North Carolina and to play with some friends and family. I have had a lot of fun here. The dogpile was amazing."
Led by NTIS Regional Director Andy Rojo, the victory marked the second gold medal win for the 11U Southwest region after they took home the gold in 2018.
"It feels amazing [to win gold]", said Rojo. "It is all about the kids. I love to see the smiles on their faces every time we get one out closer to winning… they played every game with a purpose."
Continue to follow @USABaseballNTIS on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the National Team Identification Series.
Key Moments:
• The second batter of the game for the Southwest Stars reached on an infield single and came around to score on an error for the first run of the game, putting Southwest Stars out to an early 1-0 lead.
• Carter Hadnot hit an RBI single to right in the same inning, driving in Bear Calvo and extending the Southwest Stars' lead to 2-0.
• Joshua Bank walked with the bases loaded to bring in another run for Southwest Stars, moving their lead to 3-0.
• In total, Southwest Stars scored five runs in the top of the first to jump out to a 5-0 lead.
• The first five batters reached base for the Northwest Stars in the bottom of the first, including Maddox Rabara, who walked with the bases loaded to bring in the Northwest Stars' first run, cutting their deficit to 5-1.
• Royce Pennington scored two batters later on a wild pitch to bring the score to 5-2.
• Carlo Castaneda grounded out to first for an RBI, cutting the Southwest Stars' lead to 5-3.
• Kayden McHenry doubled to left field to drive in a pair and tie the game at five apiece, all within the first inning.
• With the bases loaded in the third, Andrew Felizzari singled to left to bring in a run and put Southwest Stars out 6-5.
• Sean Downs doubled to right-center to drive in a pair and extend the Southwest Stars' lead to 8-5 in the top of the fourth.
Up Next:
The National Team Identification Series Champions Cup will continue next weekend, August 16-18, as the 12U and 14U age groups come to town.
Social Media:
Continue to follow @USABaseballNTIS on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the National Team Identification Series.
