IRVINE, Calif. - Easton Top Notch 2, Top Tier Gamers 0
The first 11U semifinal of the 2019 Futures Series in Irvine, California, was a defensive battle as Easton Top Notch clinched its spot in Sunday's championship game with a 2-0 win over Top Tier Gamers.
Easton Top Notch took an early, 1-0, lead after capitalizing on a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the second inning. Starting pitcher was stout for both teams as Gary Morse III (1-0) allowed just one hit and struck out four batters in his six innings of work, while Top Tier Gamers' starting pitcher Noah Rodriguez (0-1) punched out three batters and allowed just the one earned run in the second
In the top of the sixth inning, Easton Top Notch took advantage of an error by Top Tier Gamers to take a 2-0 edge into the final inning. With just three outs and a berth in the championship game on the line, David Carlsson stepped on the mound in relief for Easton Top Notch, where he retired the batters in order to earn his first save of the tournament.
Marcus Greis (1-for-3) and Branden Carrillo (1-for-3) led Easton Top Notch at the plate after recording a hit and a run apiece.
With the win, Easton Top Notch advances to the gold medal game and will play Dykstra Baseball MLT for the Futures Series-Irvine title on Sunday, May 5, at 4 p.m. PT on the Orange County Great Park Stadium Field in Irvine, Calif.
Dykstra Baseball MLT 7, LV Rebels 2
The bats were hot in the second semifinal of the 11U Futures Series in Irvine, California, as Dykstra Baseball MLT scored runs in five of the seven innings of play as it powered past LV Rebels, 7-2, to secure its spot in the championship game.
Dykstra wasted no time getting on the board, as they scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish. In the second, Jake Brande (3-for-4) hit a line drive to center field to stretch the lead to two before Dykstra added two more runs in the top of the third inning on a two-RBI single to shallow center field.
The LV Rebels got on the board in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 4-1, before Dykstra plated two more runs on a pair of singles in the fifth inning. The Rebels scored their second and final run of the game on an RBI-single by Noah Salts (1-for-2) in the home half of the fifth. Dykstra recorded its final run in the seventh inning on a double by Estevan Rodriguez (3-for-4).
The trio of Brande, Rodriguez and Chase Hilt (3-for-4) each recorded three hits to lead Dykstra was at the plate. Brande also scored three runs in the game, while Rodriguez tallied two RBI's to pace the team. Troy Southsiene (1-for-3) led the Rebels on offense with one hit and an RBI.
Dykstra's starting pitcher Vladimir Zamora (1-0) earned the win after hurling 6.2 solid innings,
allowing just one run. Rookie Shepard (0-1) suffered the loss for the Rebels after allowing 3 earned runs in 4.1 innings.
Dykstra Baseball MLT secured their spot in the championship game and advance to play Easton Top Notch for the 11U title on Sunday, May 5, at 4 p.m. PT on the Orange County Great Park Stadium Field in Irvine, Calif.