The final game of pool play was a big one, as the loser of Canes-Dirtbags had a chance of being eliminated from bracket play. And as it turned into a high-scoring contest, that possibility became even more real, as the runs allowed tiebreaker had a chance of eliminating the loser. But clutch defensive plays and just enough timely hitting gave the Canes a 10-9 win in a game shortened to four innings by both the time limit and by the Dirtbags' apparent homage to Dean Smith's Four Corners offense with their play in the final inning.
Once again, with the Perfect Game pitching rules in effect, Evoshield had to be conservative with the pitching. Five different pitchers threw against the Dirtbags, making it a total of ten hurlers who made at least one appearance in the three pool games.
The victory made the Canes 3-0 in pool play and earned them the right to change fields and play in the tournament semifinals, where a win would give them the right to change fields and play in the finals.
First inning
Jake doubled, went to third on a fielder's choice, and scored on an RBI fielder's choice from Drew. Chace and Andrew hit back-to-back singles, then Chace scored on Ashton's single.
Score after one inning: Dirtbags 3, Canes 2
Second inning
Colin singled and stole second. Asher drove him in with a single. Asher went to second on a wild pitch and stole third. Jake walked and stole second. Gavin singled home Asher and took second on the throw. Drew blasted a two-run triple, then scored on a wild pitch. Chace reached on a shot past the second baseman and stole second, then took third on a throwing error. He scored on Andrew's single.
Score after two innings: Canes 8, Dirtbags 3
Third inning
JT walked and stole second. Ben singled him home, then stole second and took third on a throwing error. Asher drove him in with a fielder's choice.
Score after three innings: Canes 10, Dirtbags 6
Third inning
JT walked and stole second. Ben singled him home, then stole second and took third on a throwing error. Asher drove him in with a fielder's choice.
Score after three innings: Canes 10, Dirtbags 6
Pitching Performances
Ashton started and worked through some control issues.
Colin worked out of a big jam in the first and threw an inning and two thirds of shutout relief.
Chace got the last out of the second.
JT fired a solid inning.
Asher came in with runners on base and wriggled out of a big predicament in the fourth.
Dugout wisdom
I don't know if you can quite make out the license plate here, but on the way to the game Sunday morning, I was passed by Coach Kevin and Jennifer:
In case you can't read it--that's right, it says, "BISCT."
Colin worked out of a big jam in the first and threw an inning and two thirds of shutout relief.
Chace got the last out of the second.
JT fired a solid inning.
Asher came in with runners on base and wriggled out of a big predicament in the fourth.
Dugout wisdom
I don't know if you can quite make out the license plate here, but on the way to the game Sunday morning, I was passed by Coach Kevin and Jennifer:
In case you can't read it--that's right, it says, "BISCT."
Game 3 Web Gems
- Brady made an outstanding running catch crossing into foul territory in right field in the first.
- With the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second in the fourth, Asher was on the mound with one out. The batter slapped a grounder back to him, and the runner on third took a step down the line towards home. Asher threw to JT, who slapped the tag on to get the second out. But why get one out when you could get two? So JT looked at the runner on second, who was also a step too far away from the bag. So JT chased him back to second and tossed to Drew, who applied the tag for the inning-ending and essentially game-sealing double play.
Game 3 line score
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
R
|
H
|
Dirtbags Black
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
X
|
X
|
9
|
6
|
Canes
|
2
|
6
|
2
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
10
|
11
|
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