Winter World Series Game 2: Canes 10, Virginia Stars 3

The Canes finished pool play 2-0 at the Winter World Series after taking a 10-3 victory over the Virginia Stars.

After falling behind 3-1 after one inning, the Canes clawed back with a run in each of the next two frames, then exploded for five runs in the fifth. For the game, five of the offense's ten runs were scored with two outs. Canes pitchers locked down the Stars offense after the first inning--the team from Virginia got three hits in the first, but then managed just one hit over the next five innings.

The victory puts the Canes in tomorrow's single elimination gold bracket, but seedings and times will not be determined until later today.

Game 2 Canes scoring plays

Second inning
Drew singled and scored on Chace's two-out RBI double.
Score after one-half inning: Canes 1, Stars 0

Second inning
Colin reached on an error. Eli's ball to right fell. Andrew's RBI single scored Colin.
Score after one and a half innings: Stars 3, Canes 2

Third inning
Gavin hit a leadoff single and went to second on a wild pitch. An error put him on third, and he scored on Bennett's sacrifice fly.
Score after two and a half innings: Canes 3, Stars 3

Fifth inning
Jake singled. Gavin roped a double. Drew hit a two-run single. Chace blasted an RBI double. Colin's fielder's choice scored Chace. A wild pitch put Colin on second, where he scored on Eli's single.
Score after four and a half innings: Canes 8, Stars 3

Sixth inning
Gavin reached on an error. Drew singled. Chace hit an RBI single. Drew scored on Bennett's fielder's choice.
Score after five and a half innings: Canes 10, Stars 3

Pitching Performances

Drew started, went two innings, and got strikeouts for all six of the outs he recorded, including three straight to retire the side in the second.

Bennett worked three scoreless innings of relief and did not allow a runner past second base.

Chace closed it out with a hitless sixth inning.

Dugout wisdom
Most of the dugout wisdom came from Coach Kevin II's good friends in the opposing dugout, which you would expect since there were a half-dozen of them so there were plenty of wisdom opportunities. Not many that were printable, though.

Over in the Canes dugout, the highlight came from Bennett, who walked up at one point with a very serious look on his face. "Do you know how good that book is?" he said, referring to the Book Club book of choice.

"How good is it?"

"It's so good that my mom is reading it, too."

So NOW we know why she doesn't like those early games--it interferes with her reading time.

Game 2 Web Gems

• With a runner on first in the third inning, Chace dove to spear a low line drive, then stepped on first for the inning-ending double play.
• More good work behind the plate from Macon, who went the whole way at catcher and blocked numerous balls in the dirt.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Canes	1	1	1	0	5	2	10	13
VA Stars	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	4