Jupiter, Fla. - GBG Northeast 14U scored early and scored often in their 15-1 win over East Orlando Tigers in Friday's Game of the Day matchup at the National Team Championships in Florida.
GBG took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning when pairs of singles and passed balls got the first run on the board with Duy-Tan (Evan) Dao (2-for-3) scoring. A double from Chris Walsh (1-for-4) scored Owen McCarron (2-for-2) and Seamus Vining (1-for-2) next.
After a clutch double play to end the bottom of the inning, GBG swung for the fences in the top of the third, scoring four more runs. Two singles, two doubles and a walk combined to bring Jake Preto (1-for-1), Luke Janowicz (1-for-2), Jayden LaFleur (1-for-2) and Dao all home and increase the lead to 7-0.
East Orlando got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Charlee Soto (1-for-1), Tracen Cameron (1-for-2) and Louis Rodriguez (1-for-2) all hit singles to load the bases. Soto scored East Orlando's run on a wild pitch to make it 7-1.
GBG responded to East Orlando's run in a huge fashion, scoring eight of their own in the top of the fourth. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for GBG and a second walk scored Brendan Sencaj (1-for-3). LaFleur hit a two-RBI double to center field and brought in Preto and Eisig Chin (2-for-3) for a 10-1 lead.
After the next batter flew out, McCarron drew a walk to re-load the bases for GBG. Another walk, a triple from Christopher Hormann (2-for-3) and an East Orlando error scored the rest of the eight with Janowicz, LaFleur, McCarron, Vining and Hormann all coming home.
The game ended after three and a half innings due to the tournament's mercy rule.
Cameron Champney (1-0) secured the win on the mound for GBG Northeast 14U, with one run on four hits and one strikeout in all three innings. The loss went to East Orlando Tigers' Louis Rodriguez (0-1), who tallied seven runs on seven hits and three strikeouts in 2.1 innings.
GBG Northeast 14U evens up their record to 2-2 in the tournament and East Orlando Tigers takes their first loss to be 3-1 heading into Saturday's final round and later, quarterfinals.