CARY, N.C. – The 11U/13U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup rolled on with day two, as both the 11U and 13U slates at Thomas Brooks Park and the National Training Complex, respectively, was full of big offensive moments and strong pitching.
11U
OFFENSE GALORE IN BATTLE BETWEEN NORTHEAST STARS AND SOUTHEAST STRIPES
Both teams were relentless on offense at the Northeast Stars notched an 18-11 victory over the Southeast Stripes. After the Stripes took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Northeast answered with a five-run frame in the bottom of the inning–highlighted by a two-run triple to left center by Joshua Morgan–to take command of the game. The Southeast scored once in the second to get back within three before an RBI groundout by the Northeast’s Antonio Dixon made it a 6-2 game in the second. Craig Sleap then scored on a double steal and error to put the Stars up 7-3 and AJ Elliott added a two-run double to make the score 10-3. The Southeast responded with a five-run fourth to get back within three, thanks to RBI singles from Kade Nichols and Braxton Fisher, but the Northeast regained control in the fifth on a two-run double by NE 5 and eventually secured the 18-11 victory.
SOUTHWEST STARS SCORES EARLY AND OFTEN IN 12-5 WIN
The Southwest Stars put 10 runs on the scoreboard in the first two innings to take down the Southeast Stars, 12-5. The scoring started early on as Carter Barrett hit a funky, two-run infield single in the first. The ball was headed for foul territory before taking a late spin and sneaking inside first base to score two runs. Chase Meyer followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0 and Leo Reyes added on RBI knock of his own to put the Southwest in front by seven. The offense continued in the second as Meyer added another RBI single; another run later crossed home to make it a ten-spot in the first two frames. The Southeast was able to get its offense going late to put up five runs, but the Southwest held on to win 12-5.
SOUTH STRIPES BEAT MIDWEST STRIPES, 7-3
After cracking the scoreboard early for four quick runs, the South Stripes held off a Midwest Stripes rally and added some insurance late to nab a 7-3 win. Leading 4-3, the South Stripes added two runs in the third to go up 6-3. The Midwest then threatened to tie the game up in the third by getting the tying run to the plate, but Alexander Benjamin escaped the jam unscathed to maintain the three-run lead. Zaydyn Collingsworth then chipped in another insurance run in the sixth, and Brayden Jacques got the final outs to wrap up the 7-3 win.
SIX-RUN FIRST PROPELS SOUTH STARS PAST SOUTHWEST STRIPES
The South Stars came out on fire with a six-run first inning to beat the Southwest Stripes, 15-5. An RBI single by Radner Roth got the scoring started and was followed shortly after by an RBI knock from Noah King to immediately make it a 2-0 game. Brayden Irvin plated two runs with a sac fly and Jackson eavey capped off the six-run first with an RBI triple, putting the Stars in a good spot early. The Stripes trimmed their deficit in half in the top of the second on a Jackson Menichi RBI groundout and an error that plated two more runs to make it 6-3, and the Southwest deficit then became just two on a wild pitch in the top of the fourth. The South Stars grew their advantage in the bottom of the sixth, scoring on two wild pitches and a throwing error, and King and Austin Pederson each had RBI singles to put the game out of reach in the 15-5 South win.
MIDWEST STARS SHUT OUT NORTHWEST STARS
Davis Romejko and Brandon Orlow combined to toss a shutout against the Northwest Stars in a 4-0 win. The contest was a pitchers’ duel for the first six innings, as Romejko and Cortez Barrera traded zeros back and forth. The Midwest finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth; Kaden Mustille and Cameron Banks both got into scoring position and scored on a ground ball that turned into a throwing error, putting the Midwest in front by two. The squad added two more runs and Orlow closed the door on the 4-0 win.
NORTHWEST STRIPES ROLL ON OFFENSE TO TAKE DOWN NORTHEAST STRIPES
The bats were hot for the Northwest Stripes, who notched an 11-4 win over the Northeast Stripes. The Northwest took the lead in the third and it grew on an RBI single by Jackson Painter, giving the Northwest a 4-1 lead. The team’s edge became 5-1 as Jarek Criscuolo crossed home plate on a double steal; the Northwest then went up 7-1 on an RBI single by Justin Collins. In the fourth, Jackson Wrisley plated a run with an RBI groundout followed by Zechariah Kim coming home on a wild pitch. The Northwest added insurance late and locked down the 11-4 win.
13U
ROUNDTREE TURNS IN THREE-HIT DAY
Deeyon Roundtree turned in a three-hit performance to help the Southeast Stars earn a 12-7 win over the Northwest Stars. Roundtree’s day included an RBI double along with a pair of base hits.
NORTHEAST STARS EARN WALK-OFF WIN OVER SOUTHEAST STRIPES
The Northeast Stars improved to 2-0 in pool play on Friday thanks to a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Southeast Stripes. After facing an early 5-0 deficit, Jalen Henry used an inside-the-park solo home run to help spark the Northeast Stars’ eventual comeback win that came on a bases-loaded wild pitch.
LASHLEE TOSSES SIX STRONG INNINGS IN SOUTHWEST STRIPES VICTORY
Starting pitcher Cody Lashlee tossed six strong innings to help the Southwest Stripes secure a 4-2 victory over the South Stripes and move to 2-0 in pool play. Lashlee threw 99 pitches and surrendered two earned runs while fanning nine batters.
SOUTHWEST STARS USE SEVEN-RUN SECOND TO COLLECT WIN OVER SOUTH STARS
The Southwest Stars used a seven-run second inning, which was highlighted Jackson Mcaneeley’s bases-clearing triple, to collect a 9-7 win over the South Stars. It marked the team’s first win of the week after a tie in the opening round.
