Sunday, May 7, 2017

Border Wars Championship: Canes 8, Mid-Atlantic Orioles 0


The Canes finished Border Wars in style, as Drew (four innings) and Asher (one inning) teamed up on a no-hitter in an 8-0 win over the Mid-Atlantic Orioles. The O's had just one baserunner in the game, and he was stranded at second. The defense backed the pitching by playing an error-free title game, meaning the Canes made just one error over the team's final 13 defensive innings. As Jake said of the Border Wars win, "Welcome to North Carolina."

The pitching and defense meant the Canes' five-run first inning was plenty of offense. For the weekend, Evoshield outscored six opponents 75-14, meaning they scored almost as many runs in the first inning of Sunday's first game (12) as opponents scored in all six games combined (14).

This tourney championship was yet another total team effort. Six different players hit homers during the weekend and ten different players pitched. Of the team's 24 offensive innings in the tournament, the Canes scored at least one run in 20 of those frames.

Coach Sean generously gave the team Mother's Day weekend off, but only because there were no tournaments available in towns that have a Cook-Out.

Note the impressive shadow puppet work by Coach Matt on Coach Sean's back during team picture organization (if you thought Coach Matt was delirious from too much baseball when he was shouting, "Look at the dog!" this is what he meant):


And here's a slightly squinty championship team photo:



Championship Canes scoring plays
First inning
Jake reached on an errant pitch, went to third on an error, and scored on Gavin's sacrifice fly. Drew walked and went to second on an error. Chace reached on a fielder's choice. Colin singled. Drew scored on a wild pitch. Bryce drove in a pair with a single, then took second on the throw. JT drove in Bryce with a single.
Score after one inning: Canes 5, Orioles 0

Second inning
Jake worked a one-out walk and calmly stood at first base with a small lead. Just kidding, he stole second. Gavin singled. Jake scored on an error. Gavin stole second and went to third on an error. A wild pitch scored him.
Score after two innings: Canes 7, Orioles 0

Fourth inning
Jake bunted a homer. No really, he did (well, close enough).
Score after four innings: Canes 8, Orioles 0

Pitching Performances
Drew was dominant in four innings of work, allowing just one baserunner.

Asher finished it with a 1-2-3 fifth.

Dugout wisdom
Isn't selfie-taking supposed to be sort of a standard skill for every 12- (and 13, sorry Elias) year old in America? It seems to be pretty difficult for this group. Luckily, Gabby was on hand and able to step in to pinch-hit with her highly advanced selfie skills:



Championship Web Gems
  • Colin made a leaping catch of a liner in the first.
  • The ball did not leave the infield for the final ten outs of the game. Only one of the game's 15 total outs was made outside of the infield.
Championship line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Orioles
0
0
0
0
0
X
0
0
Canes
5
2
0
1
X
X
8
7

Border Wars Semifinal: Canes 12, Quick Strike 6

As usual, the Canes and Quick Strike played a tight, well-played game in the semifinals of Border Wars in Rocky Mount. This time, the Canes broke it open with an eight-run fifth, plating all eight runs in the frame with two outs.

The Quick Strike had carried a 4-1 lead into the fourth, and some listless Evoshield play prompted what was later termed a "scary" speech from Coach Adam, who is normally very mild-mannered and easygoing. He now wishes he could remember what he said, because it was followed by eleven unanswered runs.

The win advanced the Canes to the Border Wars championship game. 

Semifinal Canes scoring plays
First inning
Gavin reached on a ball to the left side, stole second, and scored on Drew's single.
Score after one-half inning: Canes 1, Quick Strike 0

Fourth inning
Jake walked and...well, you know. Gavin singled and went to second on a misplay. Drew rocked a two-run double. He tagged up and went to third on Chace's fly ball to right, then scored on Colin's sacrifice fly.
Score after three and a half innings: Canes 4, Quick Strike 4

Fifth inning
Brady singled. Elias walked. Asher moved them over with a sacrifice. Jake walked. After a fielder's choice, Drew came through with a two-out, two-run single. Gavin scored on a wild pitch. Chace walked. Drew scored on a wild pitch. Colin walked. Andrew hit a two-run single. Bryce walked. Brady knocked a two-run single.
Score after four and a half innings: Canes 12, Quick Strike 4 

Pitching Performances
Andrew started and went one and a third, including a quick 1-2-3 in the first.

Drew threw two and two-thirds scoreless innings of relief.

Chace closed it down in the fifth.

Dugout wisdom
In the first inning, a Quick Strike hitter lofted a high pop fly towards second base. "Run it out, you never know what's going to happen!" yelled a CQS parent.

Without missing a beat and before the ball came down, Brady said, "Yes you do. He's going to catch it."

One beat later, Colin settled under the ball and caught it.

Semifinal Web Gems
  • Good presence of mind by Drew on the mound when a runner broke off first base in the second. Drew stepped off and threw to Gavin, who ran down the runner for the out.
  • Jake made a nice play in center in the fifth.
  • Chace recorded another Canes pickoff in the fifth.
Semifinal line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Canes
1
0
0
3
8
X
12
7
CQS
0
4
0
0
2
X
6
5

Border Wars Quarterfinal: Canes 9, Dirtbags Black 5

Supposedly this game was played on Sunday, but it feels like it was about a week ago. The scorebook says the Canes beat Dirtbags Black 9-5 in the only game of the weekend that went the full six innings. I think the game was played so long ago that Eli was only 12 when the game started.

The victory advanced the Canes to the semifinals against familiar opponent Carolina Quick Strike.

Quarterfinal Canes scoring plays
First inning
Jake walked. Gavin singled before Jake could steal second. Drew hit a grounder to second base that somehow scored both runners. Chace smacked a solo homer.
Score after one inning: Canes 3, Dirtbags 1

Second inning
Andrew singled and stole second. He advanced on Ben's fielder's choice and scored on Elias' fielder's choice.
Score after two innings: Canes 4, Dirtbags 1

Third inning
Jake walked and stole second. A wild pitch moved him to third, and he scored on some infield adventures. Gavin reached on an errant pitch just before Drew cranked a two-run homer. That cleared the bases for Chace to hit another solo homer.
Score after three innings: Canes 8, Dirtbags 3

Fifth inning
Drew doubled and scored on Chace's double.
Score after five innings: Canes 9, Dirtbags 3

Pitching Performances
Colin started and went two good innings.

Asher threw two quality innings of relief.

Elias finished it up with a pair of good birthday innings.

Quarterfinal Web Gems
  • Brady made a great running catch in deep right field for the second out of the second inning.
  • Gavin made a tough play look routine by gobbling up a grounder in the hole at short and then finishing it with the long throw across the diamond to get the out.
  • Asher picked off another runner at first base in the fourth.
  • Jake and Gavin teamed up on a nice fielder's choice to get the first out of the fifth.
  • Bryce blocked down a block in the dirt right in front of him, then had the presence of mind to pick it up and throw a strike to second base to get the overeager runner trying to advance. 
Quarterfinal line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Dirtbags Black
1
0
2
0
0
2
5
7
Canes
3
1
4
0
1
X
9
8

Border Wars Bracket: Canes 18, RockIt Orange 1

The most telling number from Sunday's bracket play win over RockIt Orange was probably this: 4,623. That's how many steps Coach Kevin I accumulated while chasing down the four Canes home run balls, which all came in the first inning and all came with at least one runner aboard. It all added up to an 18-1 win in a game shortened to three innings by the run rule.

The shortened game gave the team plenty of time to properly celebrate Eli's 13th birthday. He is very generously taking the entire team to Fenway to celebrate. Thanks Eli!




The Canes will now enjoy the sights and sounds of greater Rocky Mount while waiting for the next game, which is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Bracket Canes scoring plays
First inning
Jake walked and...no, wait, he didn't steal second! He went to second on a fielder's choice. Drew jacked a three-run homer. Chace was hit by a pitch and stole second. Colin cranked a two-run homer. Bryce singled. JT walked. Brady smoked a three-run homer. Asher singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Jake walked. Gavin launched a three-run homer. Drew walked. Chace hit an RBI triple. Colin's RBI grounder scored Chace.
Score after one inning: Canes 12, RockIt 1

Second inning
Elias smacked a one-out double and went to third on a wild pitch. Asher was hit by a pitch and stole second. Jake hit a two-run single and (finally!) stole second. Gavin drove him in with a single. Andrew hit a run-scoring double. Ben walked. Colin hit an RBI single. Ben scored on Bryce's grounder to short.
Score after two innings: Canes 18, RockIt 1

Pitching Performances
Gavin started and threw two extremely efficient innings, including a three-pitch second.

Ben finished up with just eight pitches in the third. The Canes pitching duo combined to throw just 23 pitches in the game.

Dugout wisdom
Get ready for what's about to happen: it's a blog compliment about the umpires. They've been very good (knock on wood) so far in Rocky Mount, and also funny. With two down in the top of the third, the home plate umpire told the Canes catcher, "Well, we're just one out away from Bojangle's." Priorities, folks.

Bracket Web Gems
  • Colin positioned himself well before the pitch, which enabled him to make a good snag of a line drive to the right side in the first inning.
  • Elias hustled over to a ball in the gap and fired in to Chace, who waited...and waited...and waited...and then made the tag on the runner trying to stretch a single into a double.
Bracket line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
RockIt Orange
1
0
0
X
X
X
1
2
Canes
12
6
X
X
X
X
18
12

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Border Wars Game 2: Canes 11, Ironbridge Select 1

The Canes needed just four innings to take game two of Border Wars pool play, this one an 11-1 decision over Ironbridge Select in four innings. The Evoshield offense ended the two games outscoring the opposition 28-2 in the two games and outhitting them 25-5.

The pair of victories sets up a big Sunday, with games beginning as early as 8 a.m. (but hopefully 10 a.m.) and potentially stretching until mid-evening. Seeds and brackets will be announced later tonight. Fans are advised to secure their tickets now and make the trip to Rocky Mount, because Brian "Scully" Schneider will not be in attendance, drastically limiting the play-by-play updates that are available.

Game 2 Canes scoring plays
First inning
Jake singled and (all together now)...stole second. Gavin doubled him home. Chace singled and stole second, then scored on Colin's bullet.
Score after one inning: Canes 2, Ironbridge 0

Second inning
Elias singled and went to second on an error. Bryce singled him home. Brady singled. Asher moved them over. Jake singled home Bryce. Gavin singled. Chace lofted a sacrifice fly. Drew hit a ball that is still going over about six different fences for a three-run homer.
Score after two innings: Canes 8, Ironbridge 0

Third inning
Ben reached on a grounder. Elias singled, and an error moved up both runners. Ben scored on a fielder's choice. Brady's fielder's choice scored Elias.
Score after three innings: Canes 10, Ironbridge 0

Fourth inning
Gavin doubled, JT walked, and Drew ended it with a single.
Score after four innings: Canes 11, Ironbridge 1

Pitching Performances
Chace started and struck out four in two innings.

Elias threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Brady finished it up in the fourth and allowed just one hit.

Dugout wisdom
The umpires were downright giddy to be well ahead of schedule on field 8. How giddy? Glad you asked. As warmups concluded in the top of the first inning, the home plate umpire announced, "OK boys, get ready for the most fun you can have with your clothes on."

I don't even know what this one means, but it clearly sounds like dugout wisdom. With the Canes safely in the lead, out of nowhere, JT offered the following nugget: "You know, you pretty much have to go to jail to write a good story. Think about it." He later offered MLK, Nelson Mandela and Hitler as examples. 

Game 2 Web Gems
  • A very unique PFP in the fourth, as first baseman Gavin--yes, really--scooped up a grounder and tossed to pitcher Brady for the out.
Game 2 line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Ironbridge
0
0
0
1
X
X
1
2
Canes
2
6
2
1
X
X
11
12

Border Wars Game 1: Canes 17, Richmond Braves 1

The Canes journeyed to Rocky Mount for their first-ever appearance in the Border Wars tournament. Game one featured a 17-1 victory over the Richmond Braves in a game shortened to four innings by the run rule, and also included perhaps the most demonstrative postgame speech by an opposing coach in recent memory. 

Every slot in the batting order scored at least once, and the Canes powered three homers to outslug the Braves. Three pitchers teamed up to allow just one run, and just two Richmond runners advanced past second base.

There's likely to be a delay before game two, as the opponent is still on the field and in just the second inning.

Game 1 Canes scoring plays
First inning
Chace walked and stole second. Drew doubled him home and scored on Colin's single.
Score after one-half inning: Canes 2, Braves 0

Second inning
Ben hit a one-out single and went to second on a wild pitch. Andrew drove him in with a liner to right, then scored on Bryce's single. Jake doubled and went to third on an error, then scored on Gavin's homer. Chace walked. Drew singled and stole second. Colin singled home a pair, then stole second. JT scored him with a two-out RBI single.
Score after one and a half innings: Canes 9, Braves 0

Third inning
Ben walked and scored on Andrew's double. Bryce cracked an RBI double. Gavin's fielder's choice scored Bryce. Chace launched a solo homer.
Score after two and a half innings: Canes 13, Braves 1

Fourth inning
JT reached on an error, as did Brady and Ben. Bryce smacked a two-run homer.
Score after three and a half innings: Canes 17, Braves 1

Pitching Performances
Three Canes pitchers teamed up for a three-hitter. Andrew started and went an inning and a third, then Asher threw an inning and two thirds, and Bryce closed it out in the fourth.

Dugout wisdom
The Braves showed up early to the third-base dugout before the game started. But suddenly, when JT arrived, they all disappeared. "JT, did you intimidate them?" he was asked. "Yeah, I think so," he replied. "They just all disappeared. That happens sometimes."

Then he waited just a second. "But the opposite usually happens with girls," he said.

Also, I can't print it here, but ask Coach Kevin I about his hot spot.

Game 1 Web Gems
  • Colin made a couple nice plays on balls behind second into shallow right, including a play at full speed in the first.
  • Coach Kevin got giddy in the second inning when Brady and Asher teamed up on a textbook PFP.
Game 1 line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Canes
2
7
4
4
X
X
17
13
Braves
0
1
0
0
X
X
1
3