14U D1 Zone Qualifier Game 2: Canes 8, South Wake Storm 14U 6

One good inning was enough, as the Canes used an eight-run fifth to take an 8-6 victory over the South Wake Storm 14U.

The bats had been completely silent prior to the fifth, with 12 straight batters retired. That all changed with Coach Sean's new fake bunt strategy, as every hitter fake bunted on the first pitch. Soon, the runs were coming in buckets, eventually turning into an eight-run frame. That was enough to win a game shortened to five innings by the time limit.

The Canes finished the morning 2-0. Seeds will be determined later today, but the Canes already know they will play at 8:30, or what we like to call "Canes Time."

Game 2 Canes scoring plays

Fifth inning
Drew walked. Chace singled, and an error allowed Drew to score. Andrew singled. The third baseman threw away Macon's ball to third, scoring one. Ty cranked a two-run double. Colin walked. Bryce drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Asher was hit by a pitch. Gavin smoked a three-run homer.
Score after four and a half innings: Canes 8, Storm 14U 5

Pitching Performances

Ty started and went two strong innings, including a perfect second.

Macon threw an inning and a third of good relief.

Asher worked out of a jam in the fourth.

Drew closed it out in the fifth, including three strikeouts.

Dugout wisdom
When the opposing pitcher made it to second base in the fourth, the ever-helpful Gavin said, "Did you know you have a perfect game going?"

Next Canes batter: walk.
Next Canes batter: single, error run.

Perfect game gone. No-hitter gone. Shutout gone. The pitcher left the game three hitters later without recording an out in the inning.

We also had this perhaps telling conversation with the base umpire after the top of the fifth, during which the Canes scored eight runs. As a reminder, the Canes had ZERO baserunners prior to the fifth. None. No people in yellow jerseys had been on the bases in the game prior to that half-inning.

Base umpire: "What have you got for the score?"

Helpful book guy: "8-6, us."

Base umpire: "Uh huh. How many of those eight did you get that inning?"

Helpful book guy: "Uh, all eight."

Game 2 Web Gems

• With runners on first and second in the first, Asher made a full extension diving catch on the line in left, then threw to second for the inning-ending double play.
• Chace hustled back to grab a pop up over his head at first in the second.
• Gavin went deep in the hole and made a very strong throw to end the second.
• Good savvy from Andrew with the time limit approaching in the fifth. A ball came on the field with the Storm at bat. Andrew meandered over and picked it up, then threw it back over the fence...only to not QUITE have the arm to get it over the fence, which meant he had to go retrieve it again and throw it over. Time did narrowly expire thanks to the crafty outfielder.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Canes	0	0	0	0	8	X	8	4
SW Storm 14U	1	0	1	3	1	X	6	9