CARY, N.C. - The final day of pool play at the 12U/14U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup was full of intense games and piping hot offensive performances where some teams were able to continue their dominants runs.

LATE-GAME SOUTH STARS’ COMEBACK FORCES 5-5 TIE AGAINST SOUTHEAST STRIPES

To start the game, the Southeast Stripes loaded the bases and scored on a sacrifice fly to give itself a one-run lead. The Southeast Stripes defense complemented its offense as it converted a crucial double play to keep the South Stars scoreless. Down 2-0, Landon Alderson cut the deficit in half to make the score 2-1. The Southeast Stripes went on a three-run rally, which was capped off on a balk, to give itself a 5-1 advantage. The lead didn’t last long as the South Stars rallied back and notched four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the score at five. With bases loaded, the Southeast Stripes concluded the game after forcing a pop out.

NORTHEAST STRIPES CRUISE TO 12-5 OVER SOUTH STRIPES BEHIND EIGHT-RUN SECOND INNING

After a scoreless first frame, the Northeast Stripes rolled to a dominant second inning in which it put eighth runs on the board, highlighted by a Nicholas Stangota base-clearing triple and a Jayvian Vazquez RBI double. The South Stripes responded with two runs courtesy of Jackson Mangrum. The Northeast Stripes went back to work in the fourth frame as it scored two runs on wild pitches and two RBIs from Nicholas Bianco and Daniel Shuta respectively. In the bottom of fifth, the South Stripes tried to shift the momentum as it put up three runs, but the Northeast Stripes’ defense held it down to claim a 12-5 victory.

SOUTHWEST STARS SCOOT BY NORTHEAST STARS, 1-0, IN SEVENTH INNING THRILLER

The Southwest Stars and the Northeast Stars engaged in a strong defensive contest in a battle of unbeatens. After a scoreless three frames, Eli Martinez played hero with his RBI single to give the Southwest Stars the edge. Over the last three innings, both defenses remained stout, which secured Southwest the 1-0 win.

SOUTHEAST STARS’ HOT START HOLDS STRONG IN 9-7 VICTORY OVER SOUTHWEST STRIPES

The Southeast Stars put up eight runs in the first three innings, which proved too much for the Southwest Stripes to overcome. Headed into the bottom of the seventh frame, the Stars held a 9-6 advantage. Macgraw VanWormer stole second, third, and crossed the plate on an errant throw to inch closer at 9-7. With the bases loaded, the Southeast Stars turned a terrific double play to secure a 9-7 victory.

While games at the 14U level were live, the 12U bracket also took action at Thomas Brooks Park which was nothing short of amazing.

BIG DOUBLES IN THE SIXTH INNING LIFT SOUTH STARS OVER MIDWEST STARS

After several runs scored on either passed balls or wild pitches, the South Stars found themselves maintaining a close 3-2 lead on the Midwest Stars going into the sixth inning. Joshua Matthews delivered a game-tying RBI groundout for the Midwest Stars in the top of the sixth, only for back-to-back clutch doubles from Tucker Curtiss and Eli Deville to restore a one-run lead for the South Stars. Deville’s booming RBI double into center proved to be the winning play, as the South Stars improved to 3-0 and clinched the top spot in their pool.

NORTHWEST STRIPES BLANK NORTHEAST STRIPES

The Northwest Stripes rolled to a 5-0 win over the Northeast Stripes, with the highlight coming in the form of a deep RBI double blasted into center by Benjamin Farrell to extend the Northwest lead.

NORTHEAST STARS SURVIVE LATE COMEBACK ATTEMPT FROM SOUTHEAST STRIPES

The Southeast Stripes came up just short against the Northeast Stars, as the Stars held on for a 7-6 win after six innings. Entering the final inning trailing 7-3, the Southeast Stripes nearly stormed all the way back thanks to an RBI triple from Brenner Brown, an RBI single from Griffin Leonard, and a bases-loaded walk, but fell just short.

NG CLOSES OUT WIN FOR SOUTHWEST STRIPES

Joshua Ng struck out a pair of batters in the seventh to close out the win for the Southwest Stripes, 6-4, over the Midwest Stripes.