Top Gun Spring Nationals Semifinals: Canes 14, GBI 12U 10

In probably the best EvoCanes game of the spring so far, the Canes spotted GBI Express Blue a 9-1 lead after the top of the second inning, but responded with 13 straight runs to earn a 14-10 victory.

The first two innings saw some very uncharacteristic defense and a couple of bad hops, as GBI grounders repeatedly turned into baserunners. But after some timely inspiration from Coach Sean and Coach Kevin, the offense caught fire and the defense returned to form. The Canes chipped back with four runs in the bottom of the second, got a huge double play in the top of the third, and then took the lead for good in the bottom of the third. For the game, seven of the 13 hits (which came from nine different players) went for extra bases. 

The win advanced the Canes to the championship game of the 12U gold bracket.

Semifinal Canes scoring plays

First inning

Jake reached on an error and stole second, then scored on Gavin's single.

Score after one inning: GBI 4, Canes 1

Second inning

Andrew singled and went to second on an error. He advanced on a fielder's choice. Ben reached on an error. Colin singled in Andrew. Bryce's shot scored Ben. Jake doubled home Colin. Gavin's sacrifice fly scored Bryce.

Score after two innings: GBI 9, Canes 5

Third inning
Chace singled. Ashton, Andrew, JT and Brady recorded four straight doubles. Against the GBI flamethrower, Bryce hit a one-out double and went to third on a balk, where he was driven in by Asher.  
Score after three innings: Canes 11, GBI 9

Fourth inning
Chace singled and went to second on a wild pitch, then stole third. A wild pitch scored him. JT was hit by a pitch. Brady doubled. Colin singled in two big insurance runs.
Score after four innings: Canes 14, GBI 9

Pitching Performances

Chace started and did a good job throwing strikes in front of a defense that had its hiccups.

JT came in and threw some lockdown relief for an inning and two-thirds.

Andrew was terrific in his two innings of relief, getting strikeouts for four of the six outs he recorded.

Dugout wisdom
Since everyone actually had to pay attention in this game (including the guy keeping the book), there wasn't as much time for dugout hijinks. So we'll just flash back to what Coach Sean told the team after they'd committed seven errors in the first two innings and helped GBI build a 9-1 lead. Coach Sean had been coaching third base during that stretch, which put him directly next to the GBI dugout, featuring some coaches who weren't very impressed with the 11U Canes. "They don't think you guys can beat them," Coach Sean told the team. "They're talking about your defense. Let's show them how we play baseball and get back in this game." 

Semifinal Web Gems

• The defensive momentum began to turn a little in the second, when Gavin made a smooth barehand pickup of a hopper and then fired to first for the out.
• But when it really turned around was the third. With a runner on second and one out, the GBI batter hit a grounder to short. Gavin fielded the ball, froze the runner, and threw to Chace at first. Chace caught it for the out, then came off the bag firing and threw a rocket to Colin at third, who easily tagged out the runner for the inning-ending double play.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
GBI	4	5	0	0	1	X	10	8
Canes	1	4	6	3	X	X	14	13