West Palm Beach, Fla. - A rain-filled Wednesday led to our final two teams, Gamblers Elite and Team Elite, being named co-champion at the 15U National Team Championships in Florida at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.
Team Elite struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning of the championship game. Nico Senese (1-for-3) hit a one-out single and would score on a triple from teammate Nolan Schubart (1-for-2). Blake Grimmer (1-for-2) followed up with a single to score Schubart. Grimmer advanced to third on a Gamblers error and scored on a passed ball to give Team Elite the 3-0 lead.
After Team Elite's runs and two outs into the top of the first inning, a storm hit the area, forcing gameplay to end. The game resumed at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
Gamblers Elite put its first run on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Juan de la Cruz (0-for-1) drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a Team Elite error. He then went on to score on a wild pitch to make it a 3-1 game.
Team Elite added a fourth run in the third inning after Schubart and Grimmer both drew walks. Schubart came home on a single from Cason Engert (1-for-2) to retake a three-run lead.
Gamblers Elite came back to tie the game at four in the bottom of the fourth inning when a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Jonathan Gonzalez (1-for-3) scored on a passed ball, followed by Andrew Seymour coming in on a single from Christopher Diaz (1-for-3). The tying run came when de la Cruz hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Patrick Gillen (1-for-1).
With the game tied at four in the sixth inning, storms moved into the West Palm Beach area rendering the field unplayable. As a result of the tie, Gamblers Elite and Team Elite were named co-champions.
Erhiam Gastell pitched a majority of the game for Gamblers Elite, only allowing one hit and six strikeouts in four innings. Team Elite's Kaden Martin spent 3.2 innings on the mound and threw for three runs on four hits and struck one batter out.
The bronze medal game between 5 Star National Weaver and BL101 Real Ballers 2022 National ended in forfeit by BL101 and 5 Star National Weaver being named the bronze medal winners.