Top Gun Bownet Semifinals: Rivercats 6, Canes 4

It was a quick day at Middle Creek, as the Canes were able to play just one game following a 6-4 loss to the Rivercats. The game lasted just four innings due to the time limit, and the Rivercats plated a pair in the top of the fourth to clinch the win.

Solid Rivercats pitching limited the Canes to just four hits, but they still scratched together enough baserunners to claw back from an early 3-0 deficit and eventually tie the score at four in the second. 

The potential opponent in the second game of the day decided to get an early start on their trip back home, so there was no second game. 

Semifinal Canes scoring plays

First inning
Drew doubled, stole third, and scored on Chace's grounder past short.
Score after one inning: Rivercats 3, Canes-Gallaher 1

Second inning
Macon singled. Ty's grounder wasn't handled, putting runners at the corner. A balk scored Macon and advanced Ty. Ty scored on a wild pitch as Colin reached. Colin stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. When Jake walked, Ty stole home while Jake stole second.
Score after two innings: Canes-Gallaher 4, Rivercats 4

Pitching Performances

Chace started and gave way to Wes, who got out of a jam with two pitches.

Drew took over with one out in the second and closed it out, retiring four of the six outs in the third and fourth on strikeouts.

Dugout wisdom
In the third inning, Chace asked, "What's the score?" He was told, "4-4." His immediate response: "We're winning?"

A little later, during a Rivercats mound visit, Chace asked, "Did Coach Sean play baseball in college?" Bryce gave him an incredulous look and said, "Bro, he's been talking about it for seven years."

Semifinal Web Gems

• With the bases loaded, Bryce aggressively charged in on a would-be single to left and hosed the runner going from second to third to get the force.
• With the bases loaded again in the second and one out, Drew coaxed a line drive to short that Gavin caught and flipped to Colin for an inning-ending double play.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Rivercats	3	1	0	2	X	X	X	6	7
Canes	1	3	0	0	X	X	X	4	4

Top Gun Bownet Game 2: Canes 9, Rivercats 0

Three pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Canes finished pool play with a 9-0 victory over the Rivercats. Both teams were playing up in a 14U event.

After some between games motivation from Coach Sean, the Canes played a much cleaner second game. Approaches at the plate were much better against the offspeed-heavy pitching they saw, the pitchers allowed just two hits and one walk, and the defense was spotless. Canes pitchers had more strikeouts (five) than baserunners allowed (four).

The win leaves the Canes awaiting the seedings for tomorrow's bracket play, which will feature the rare Canes afternoon start.

Game 2 Canes scoring plays

First inning
Wes doubled. Gavin walked. Chace's single scored Wes. Gavin scored on an error.
Score after one innings Canes-Gallaher 2, Rivercats 0

Second inning
Elias reached on an error and stole second. An error put him on third, where he scored on Colin's fielder's choice. Colin stole second and scored on Wes' single. Gavin doubled home Wes. Drew's single scored Gavin.
Score after two innings: Canes-Gallaher 6, Rivercats 0

Fourth inning
Elias singled and scored on three straight fielder's choices. Drew doubled home Wes and Gavin.
Score after four innings: Canes-Gallaher 9, Rivercats 0

Pitching Performances

Wes gave up just one hit in three innings.

Ryan threw a hitless fourth.

Bryce did not allow a run in the fifth.

Dugout wisdom
Future engineers Andrew and Jake rigged an elaborate booby trap with Coach Sean's bag. It's too complicated to explain here, but suffice it to say that when the unsuspecting victim sat on a bucket in the dugout, Jake and Andrew had the bag set up to allow them to gently smack their mark in the head with Coach Sean's bat. This provided at least an inning's worth of entertainment.

Wes was expounding on the glory of English muffins in the dugout. "We don't have that in Lexington," he said. "We have country ham, bacon, and fried eggs."

Game 2 Web Gems

• Chace made a nice leaping catch of an errant throw in the infield, then slapped the tag on the runner for the second out of the fourth.
• Ryan ran down a ball in the left-center gap for the second out of the fifth.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Rivercats	0	0	0	0	0	X	X	0	2
Canes	2	4	0	3	X	X	X	9	7

Top Gun Bownet Game 1: Canes 12, Blue Sox 14U 1

Two-out hitting and solid pitching carried the Canes to a 12-1 win over the 14U Blue Sox. The game lasted just five innings due to the run rule.

Eight of the 12 runs came with two outs, including the first two runs of the game that dug the Canes out of an early 1-0 hole. 

A series of three Canes pitchers were dominant on the mound, as they recorded 11 of the 15 outs they earned via strikeout. The Blue Sox did not have a hit after the first inning.

Game 1 Canes scoring plays

Second inning
Drew doubled and scored on Macon's double. Elias singled home Macon.
Score after one and a half: Canes-Gallaher 2, Blue Sox 1

Fourth inning
Wes singled, stole second, and went to third on an error. Bennett walked and stole second. Macon's single scored a pair. Elias singled. Ryan collected an RBI single. Elias scored on a wild pitch. Gavin earned a two-out walk and stole second. Chace hit a two-run single. Drew's single scored Chace.
Score after three and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 9, Blue Sox 1

Fifth inning
Eli picked up a one-out walk and stole second. He scored on Ryan's single. Asher walked, as did Jake. Chace came through with a two-out, two-run single.
Score after four and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 12, Blue Sox 1

Pitching Performances

Gavin allowed just three hits and an unearned run in his three inning start.

Ryan struck out four (yep) in one inning of work.

Elias closed it out with a hitless fifth.

Dugout wisdom
When a Blue Sox reliever entered the game in the middle innings, Jake correctly observed the new hurler had no number on his jersey. After watching a couple warmup pitches, with a completely deadpan delivery, Drew said, "He might have thrown the ball so hard he threw the number off his jersey."

Game 1 Web Gems

• The batter hit a liner off Eli's glove on the mound in the fifth, and it looked like it would trickle harmlessly through the infield for a hit. But Gavin raced in, scooped it up, and made a great throw to Chace to get the out.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Canes	0	2	0	7	3	X	X	12	12
Blue Sox 14U	1	0	0	0	0	X	X	1	3

Spring Nationals Consolation: Canes 9, 14U Heritage Hawks 4

The Canes recovered from Sunday's earlier loss and defeated the Heritage Hawks, 9-4, in the consolation game. The offense grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back, plating runs in five different innings as for the second time in four games, the full seven innings were played. Nine different Canes players had a hit. 

The win featured the return of the normal airtight defense, as the defense did not commit an error and converted one double play. The pitching scattered seven hits over seven innings and allowed just one walk.

It will be back on the field again next weekend, once more playing up against 14U competition, in the final tuneup before the Border Wars tournament May 5-6 in Rocky Mount.

Consolation Canes scoring plays

First inning
Wes reached on an error and stole second. Gavin reached on an error. Drew walked. Chace singled home Wes. Gavin scored on Ty's fielder's choice.
Score after one innings: Canes-Gallaher 2, Hawks 0

Third inning
Jake singled and went to third on an error. He scored on Wes' grounder. Drew smashed a two-out double and scored on Chace's double. Ty's single scored Chace.
Score after three innings: Canes-Gallaher 5, Hawks 0

Fourth inning
Jake singled and scored on Wes' double.
Score after four innings: Canes-Gallaher 6, Hawks 3

Fifth inning
Ty doubled and scored on Andrew's single.
Score after five innings: Canes-Gallaher 7, Hawks 3

Sixth inning
Bryce singled. With one out, Jake reached to put runners at the corners. Wes' sacrifice fly scored Bryce. Gavin's RBI single scored Jake.
Score after six innings: Canes-Gallaher 9, Hawks 4

Pitching Performances

Ty fired three shutout innings, and retired the last eight batters he faced in a row.

Gavin set down six in a row in the fourth and fifth.

Asher finished it up with two innings of solid relief.

Dugout wisdom
Coach Kevin I likes catfish quesadillas. 

Consolation Web Gems

• Ty coaxed the batter into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play to finish the first, as it went Gavin to Colin to Chace.
• Colin ranged into shallow right to snag a pop fly in the third.
• Nice play by Asher to field a bunt on the third base side in the seventh, then throw to first for the out.

Consolation line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Hawks	0	0	0	3	0	1	0	4	7
Canes	2	0	3	1	1	2	X	9	15

Spring Nationals Semifinals: South Wake Storm 14U 6, Canes 4

The Canes fell victim to an impressive pitcher (who usually plays for the 14U Canes) in a 6-4 loss to the 14U South Wake Storm. The hard-throwing righty limited the offense to just three hits, and the Canes had just one hit after the first inning. The offense had to rely on a series of walks to scratch together a couple runs and stay in the game. 

Timely hitting was an issue, as six runners were left in scoring position in five innings, and a runner was left on third in every inning except the third. The bases were left loaded in the second and the fifth in a game that lasted just five innings because of the time limit. 

Powerful Canes pitching kept the game close, as eight of the final nine Storm outs were achieved via strikeout. Unfortunately, there were also eight walks issued, two of whom came around to score.

The loss dropped the Canes into the consolation game, which followed immediately.

Semifinal Canes scoring plays

First inning
Chace hit a two-out single and scored on Drew's triple. A throwing error scored Drew.
Score after one inning: Canes-Gallaher 2, Storm 1

Second inning
The Canes got a run without a hit as Bryce walked, went to second on a wild pitch, and then scored on three more walks.
Score after two innings: Storm 4, Canes-Gallaher 3

Fifth inning
Drew doubled. Three more walks scored him.
Scores after five innings: Storm 6, Canes-Gallaher 4

Pitching Performances

Colin started and threw into the second.

Bennett struck out the side in the third.

Drew closed it out and recorded five of his six outs via strikeout.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Storm	1	3	0	2	0	X	X	6	8
Canes	2	1	0	0	1	X	X	4	3

Spring Nationals Game 2: Canes 18, WR Skeeters 14U 1

So much for the BBCOR bats slowing down the Canes offense. After struggling to get rolling in the first game, the offense exploded for 19 hits in four innings on the way to an 18-1 win over the 14U West Raleigh Skeeters in a game shortened by the run rule.

The offense scored at least four runs in every inning, and nine of them came with two outs, including all five in the second inning, which essentially put the game away. That was plenty of offense to back three pitchers, each of whom allowed just one hit. 

Seedings are still being determined, but the Canes know they will be back on the field tomorrow morning at 8:30 for bracket play.

Game 2 Canes scoring plays

First inning
Gavin and Chace had back to back singles. Chace stole second. Drew doubled home a pair. Wes singled and stole second. Bennett walked. Ty singled home two.
Score after one-half inning: Canes-Gallaher 4, Skeeters 0

Second inning
Colin walked. Jake reached on an error. Drew earned a two-out walk. Wes doubled home two. Bennett hit a two-run single. Ty and Macon had back to back singles, scoring Bennett.
Score after one and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 9, Skeeters 1

Third inning
Colin walked and stole second. Gavin earned a one-out walk. Chace singled home Colin and stole second. Drew walked. Wes drove in two more with a single. Ty and Macon had back to back RBI singles.
Scores after two and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 14, Skeeters 1

Fourth inning
Andrew was hit by a pitch. Gavin and Chace singled. Drew's single scored Andrew. Wes picked up his fifth RBI with a walk. Ty and Macon had--you guessed it--back to back RBI singles.
Score after three and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 18, Skeeters 1

Pitching Performances

Again working through a series of pitchers, Ty started and fanned one in the first.

Gavin threw two strong scoreless innings of relief.

Macon finished it with a shutout fourth.

Dugout wisdom
You have to understand that seats on the buckets in the dugout are prized possessions, because they enable you to be on the fence while also enjoying the feathery comfort of a bucket lid. Wes had captured a bucket seat, but around the third inning got a confused look on his face. "Is someone's phone in this bucket?" he asked. "Because my butt keeps vibrating." Fortunately for all of us, it did indeed turn out to be a phone and not some other source of butt vibration.

Game 2 Web Gems

• Canes catchers picked up two more caught stealings, one in the first inning and one in the fourth. 
• For the day, the Canes defense committed just two errors in 11 defensive innings.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
Canes	4	5	5	4	X	X	X	18	19
Skeeters	1	0	0	0	X	X	X	1	3

Spring Nationals Game 1: Canes 4, GBI Express 14U 3

In a bit of a strange game to open the tournament, the Canes got a run in the bottom of the seventh to edge GBI Express 14U, 4-3. The event at Middle Creek was this team's first BBCOR tournament, and it showed in some of the at-bats, as the Canes left ten men on base, with six of them in scoring position. But patience at the plate eventually proved to be the key, as the winning run--the two teams got in all seven innings inside the 1:45 time limit--reached on a walk. 

For the game, Canes hitters drew 13 bases on balls and also had a hit by pitch. The final run scored without the benefit of a hit, which pretty much summed up the day. GBI actually outhit the Canes, 6-5.

The difference, though, was that Canes pitchers weren't handing out free bases. Four Canes pitchers did not walk a single GBI hitter while striking out nine and scattering six hits over seven innings. 

The victory was the first walk-off win of the spring season and set up the second game of pool play, which immediately followed the conclusion of game one.

Game 1 Canes scoring plays

Second inning
Bennett drew a leadoff walk. Macon doubled. Ty smashed a two-run double.
Score after two innings: Canes-Gallaher 2, GBI 2

Third inning
Gavin singled, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Drew's sacrifice fly.
Score after three innings: Canes-Gallaher 3, GBI 2

Seventh inning
Gavin worked a one-out walk and stole second. A throwing error moved him to third, where he scored on a wild pitch with two outs.
Scores after seven innings: Canes-Gallaher 4, GBI 3

Pitching Performances

Chace started and threw two strong innings.

Asher twirled two scoreless innings of relief.

Wes went two and a third great innings before giving way to Bennett to finish it out.

Dugout wisdom
I'm not really sure what the context to the rest of this conversation was, but at one point early in the game, Bryce announced, "If we had a team mom, it would definitely be Colin." The team eventually decided Ty would be the team dad if needed.

Game 1 Web Gems

• Macon gunned down a runner stealing second in the second.
• Chace gobbled up a grounder and Asher darted over to cover first on a textbook PFP in the fourth, after which Coach Kevin I could actually be heard to say, "That makes me so happy!"
• Jake went far in the hole between first and second to make a diving stop of a hot grounder in the fifth, then threw to Chace for the out.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H
GBI	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	6
Canes	0	2	1	0	0	0	1	4	5

Spring BOE Game 1: Canes 10, T24 Gamecocks 2

After being shut down the first time through the order, the Canes roared to life in the third inning and then coasted to a 10-2 win over the T24 Gamecocks in the first game of the spring 2018 season. The offense batted around in the third to post a six-run frame. 

Stellar defense cut down a pair of Gamecock runners to keep them from closing the gap, and solid mound work finished the game in four innings after the one hour and 50-minute time limit expired.

The victory leaves the Canes 1-0 in pool play. Saturday's pool play action has already been pushed back due to potential inclement weather, so stay tuned for further scheduling information. Also, if you left your annoying 9U team at the Hilton Garden Inn, please come pick them up so they will quit roaming around the hallways at 11:30 at night. Get off my lawn and stop playing your darn music so loud.

Game 1 Canes scoring plays

Third inning
Jake coaxed a one-out walk. Gavin beat out an infield hit and an error put runners at second and third. A wild pitch scored Jake with the game's first run. Chace demolished a two-run homer. Drew walked and scored on Bennett's double. Macon was hit by a pitch. Elias' grounder scooted through the infield, scoring Bennett. Macon stole home.
Score after two and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 6, T24 0

Fourth inning
Jake ripped a leadoff single and went to second when the ball got by the outfielder. A pair of balks scored him. Gavin walked and stole second. Chace's double put two in scoring position. Gavin scored on a wild pitch. Wes slapped it through the infield, scoring Chace. Two more wild pitches scored Wes.
Score after three and a half innings: Canes-Gallaher 10, T24 1

Pitching Performances

Bennett started and threw two shutout innings before giving way to an inning each of solid relief from Ty and Colin.

Dugout wisdom
During one of the many Gamecock mound visits, the dugout was discussing--what else?--Fortnite. The major difficulty of parents not allowing 24/7 Fortnite gameplay was mentioned. Chace said, "Coach Adam, do you ever tell Asher not to play Fortnite?"

Response: "I have frequently told Asher not to play Fortnite."

Chace: "Well, that's OK when you do it. When my parents do it, that's annoying, but when someone else's parents do it, that's good parenting."

Game 1 Web Gems

• The first web gem of the year came in the first inning, as Gavin charged in hard on a nubber to short and made the throw on the run to first to get the out.
• With runners at the corners in the second, the Gamecocks tried to bunt, but Bennett scooped it up and tossed to Macon for the out at the plate.
• The Canes defense wiped out another runner in scoring position in the third. With the runner at second getting an aggressive lead, Macon whipped a throw back to Ty at the mound, who chased the runner back and fired to Wes for the out.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Canes-Gallaher	0	0	6	4	X	X	10	6
T24	0	0	1	1	X	X	2	5