Clemmons Super Regional Game 4: Big Blue 20, King Kryptonite 2

After spending the 90-minute break between games eating, running through the woods, and having some sort of in-depth game on the t-ball field, Big Blue reassembled at 2:30 for the final game of the weekend, against the King Kryptonite. The round-robin format meant that if Big Blue could win this game, they'd win the weekend championship. A King win would've required Big Blue to hang around and see the outcome of the day's final game.

Instead of waiting, however, they broke out the big bats immediately. The run limit (seven runs) crossed the plate in the first inning, giving Blue an early cushion they would not relinquish. The offense pounded out a fall-high 25 hits. For the second game in the weekend, every player on the roster had at least one hit. Eleven different players scored at least one run and nine different players drove in at least one run.

The victory meant the trophies could be awarded immediately after the game.

Coach Kevin gathered the team down the right-field line and underlined one of the weekend's points of emphasis--the four H's (hustle, heart, humble, home). "I'm very proud of the way you played," he told them.

By the way, have you ever wondered what it's like to be a member of Big Blue 8U? It means constantly dealing with paparazzi.

With the victory secure, most members of the team cleared out as quickly as possible. However, not without first making sure their loyal head coach, Coach Kevin, was taken care of and had a ride home. Um...

The good news is that it looks like he has a pillow, so he won't be uncomfortable sleeping in the parking lot tonight. If anyone is passing through Clemmons before Tuesday, can you stop and give Coach Kevin, Bryce and Gavin a ride home?

Big Blue will practice Tuesday from 4:30-6 at Ephesus. Thanks to everyone, players and parents (that's where the "home" part of the four H's comes in, in case you were wondering) alike, for a fun weekend.

Game 4 Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
For the second time in three games, Big Blue put up the run limit (seven runs) in the very first inning. Bryce led off with a single to left. JT doubled, sending Bryce all the way around to score. Gavin's grounder to short was unplayable, scoring JT. Chace blasted a double to left-center that scored Gavin, and Jake's grounder to the right side scored Chace. Mason singled to put two runners on base, and with one out, Ben loaded the bases with a grounder to third. Timmy scored Jake with a single, Elias's single scored Mason, and Asher's opposite-field single scored Timmy to invoke the run limit.
Score after one-half inning: Big Blue 7, Kryptonite 0

Second inning
JT reached on a two-out fielder's choice, setting up a big two-out, four-run rally. Gavin's thunderous double scored JT, and Chace picked up an RBI for the fourth straight at-bat with a single to left. Jake's double to right moved Chace to third, and then Mason scored a pair with a single back through the middle.
Score after one and a half innings: Big Blue 11, Kryptonite 1

Third inning
With one out, Elias and Asher had back-to-back singles. Then another two-out rally started, this time good for five runs. It began when Bryce doubled home Elias and Asher. JT's single drove in Bryce, and Gavin's long triple to right scored JT. Chace ended the scoring with a double to left that brought Gavin home.
Score after three and a half innings: Big Blue 16, Kryptonite 2

Fourth inning
Mason led off with a double. Joey ripped an RBI single the opposite way, then moved to second on Ben's single. Timmy singled back through the middle and raced to second when it took an extra second to get the ball in from the outfield. Elias drove home a pair, making it a 3-RBI day for him. Asher singled...and then the umpires just kind of decided to stop playing. The run limit hadn't been reached, there was still some time left before the time limit, but, well, they were apparently ready to be finished.
Score after five innings: Big Blue 20, Kryptonite 2

Game 4 Web Gems

• Coach Kevin made a crucial coaching decision in the bottom of the third, sending Chace to right-center and Timmy to first base. The results? The other eight Big Blue defenders stood around and watched as Chace retired the first two hitters on fly balls, and Timmy snagged a pop-up to end the inning.
• Hardy Dail made a running snag of a foul ball off the bat of Gavin, then immediately hit the cutoff man to get the ball back into the infield. The Big Blue cheering section had an incredible weekend defensively on both days.

Game 4 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Big Blue	7	4	5	4	X	X	20	25
Kryptonite	1	1	0	X	X	X	2	2