WWS Play-in: Canes 16, Aldie (Va.) Senators 11

After a disappointing Winter World Series performance last year, Canes 12U earned their way back into the gold bracket in 2016 with a 16-11 shootout win over the Aldie (Va.) Senators. 

Big hits and timely offense again paved the way, as the Canes swatted three homers (JT, Drew and Chace), and all three of the dingers came with two outs. Overall, 12 of the 16 runs were scored with two outs, meaning 19 of the day's 27 runs crossed with two outs.

Random fact alert: the play-in game against Aldie meant the Canes have played teams from five different states (Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia) in their last six games.

The first contest in the gold bracket will be against RBA South, a familiar opponent from last year's Winter World Series.

Play-in Canes scoring plays

First inning

Jake beat out an infield single and stole second. Gavin's fielder's choice moved him over, and he scored on Drew's single. Drew advanced on a wild pitch. Chace walked. Andrew was hit by a pitch. JT cranked a grand slam on a 1-2 count. Elias doubled and scored on Colin's single.
Score after one inning: Canes 6, Senators 0

Second inning

Jake hustled to second on a ball that dropped into shallow left, then went to third on a throwing error. Drew reached on an RBI fielder's choice. Chace singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Andrew's double scored a pair. Andrew stole third and scored on a wild pitch. 

Score after two innings: Canes 10, Senators 4

Third inning
Jake walked, stole second, and went to third on a throwing error. Drew blasted a two-out homer. Chace followed with another homer. Andrew singled and stole second. Ben hustled out an infield grounder that scored Andrew. JT doubled home Ben. A wild pitch put him on third, and he scored on Brady's single.
Score after three innings: Canes 16, Senators 5

Pitching Performances

Chace started and went two solid innings.

Colin stranded a couple of runners in the third.

Drew struck out back-to-back hitters in the fourth and then got out of the inning with a ground ball.

Dugout wisdom
Jake had a little bitterness after getting slapped with an atomic elbow-esque tag when going back to the bag at first in the first inning. So in the bottom of the first, as JT batted with the bases loaded, Jake announced, "If JT hits a homer here, I'm going to run out there and truck the first baseman."

You can probably guess what happened on the next pitch: JT homered. As soon as the ball cleared the fence, Gavin yelled, "HOLD HIM BACK!"

Play-in Web Gems

• JT made a bullet throw from catcher to nab the Aldie leadoff man trying to steal second in the second, with Gavin applying the tag.
• Brady did a great job getting over to a fourth-inning ball in the right field corner and limiting the hitter to a single instead of a double.
• The fourth inning finally came to an end when Gavin was able to change directions quickly after the ball hit off Drew's glove on the mound. Gavin scooped up the redirected ball and made a strong throw from deep short to get the hitter at first.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Allie (Va.)	4	0	1	6	X	X	11	10
Canes	6	4	6	X	X	X	16	12