Western Spring State championship: Big Blue 12, Garnet Crush 4

Big Blue wrapped up its trip to Mooresville--which included four games in 24 hours--with a 12-4 five-inning victory over the Garnet Crush. The championship game was played on Mazeppa Park Field 2, which evidently has very large first-base dugouts, because the Crush dugout was able to contain both a really cool sign listing all their players and also still evidently have room for Coach Ken's whaaaaaambulance.

The game began on an entertaining note, as the Crush wanted a ruling on what would happen if one of their fielders ran into Coach Eric (keep in mind those four games in 24 hours means Coach Eric pitched 16 innings in 24 hours), obviously not realizing who they were dealing with on the mound in terms of dexterity. Luckily, Big Blue was able to solve this problem by simply hitting every ball past the pitcher, thus helpfully making sure the Crush wouldn't have to worry about such serious concerns.

Big Blue began the game with the type of airtight defense that was commended by the tournament director, who said, "Your team's defense is better than some of the 14-year-olds out here." That defense caught a fly ball to the outfield, a grounder in the infield and a line drive in the infield to set the Crush down 1-2-3 in the top of the first.

That set the stage for a quick five-run Blue explosion in the bottom of the frame that gave the tournament's top seed a lead they would never relinquish. In fact, Big Blue played 17 innings in Mooresville...and led at the end of all 17 innings. They went scoreless in just two of those 17 innings, while holding the opponents scoreless in 11 of 17 opportunities.

Due to the run rule, Big Blue did not play the full six innings in any of their tournament games, and ended the championship game in five, which resulted in the team being presented with the championship trophy:

The next Big Blue practice is...well, who knows, but probably not soon enough. The next Big Blue tournament is...well, who knows, but guaranteed to be closer than Mooresville (sound of loud applause from parents).

Championship Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
Bryce led off with a single and moved to second on JT's single. Gavin picked up the first RBI of the day with a single to center. With one out, Mason ripped a single to left that scored JT. Jake lined an RBI single, then raced all the way to third while Mason scored on some defensive misadventures in the outfield. Timmy ended the scoring in the five-run first with an RBI fielder's choice.
Score after one inning: Big Blue 5, Crush 0

Second inning
Asher led off with a single and hustled to second to beat the throw on a fielder's choice. That put him in position to score on Bryce's single. With runners on first and second and no outs, Big Blue got another aggressive, hustling baserunning play; this time it came from Trey, who moved to third on JT's single and kept on trucking all the way home when the Crush didn't realize that third base coach Sean "Biscuit" Gallaher was waving Trey in. Gavin cracked a triple that scored a pair and crossed the plate himself when the throw from the outfield skipped into the dugout.
Score after two innings: Big Blue 10, Crush 3

Fourth inning
Big Blue picked up two runs with two outs. JT started the rally with a single...that turned into much more, as his hustle ended up bringing him all the way around to score on an errant throw. Then Gavin lined a single to center that zipped past the outfielders, putting Gavin at third, where he scored on Chace's single.
Score after four innings: Big Blue 12, Porter Ridge 3

Championship Web Gems

• Chace made a sprawling catch of a line drive at first base in the first inning, capping a 1-2-3 top of the first for Big Blue.
• Mason speared a line drive at pitcher in the fourth.
• On the very next hitter, with a runner on second, Bryce caught a line drive at second, then fired to Gavin covering the bag to double off the runner and end the inning.
• Big Blue finished the weekend with just six errors in four games; not bad, considering virtually everyone on the field was playing a position they hadn't played or practiced since last October.

Championship line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Crush	0	3	0	0	1	X	4	7
Big Blue	5	5	0	2	X	X	12	14

Western Spring State Semis: Big Blue 16, Porter Ridge 8

The Big Blue coaching staff generously gave the players a one-hour time limit on the pool between Sunday morning's pool play win over the Mooresville Legends and the first bracket play game at 2:30 against Porter Ridge. Of course, not everyone had time for such foolishness, as this shot of a trio of ripped Big Blue players in the hotel gym will illustrate:

Oh, wait...uh, that's the wrong picture! Never mind! Big Blue does not support Ivan Drago's training methods at all. Let's see...OK, here's the correct photo:

For some reason, Joey, Bryce and Asher were heard to mutter, "I must break you," as they took the field for the semifinal rematch against Porter Ridge. Reports from the tournament director indicated that Porter Ridge had lost just one game during the entire fall 2012 season, and Big Blue had already ten-run ruled them on the previous day. As you can imagine, they were just a little excited for the rematch.

That excitement turned to dismay, however, as Big Blue put up the seven-run limit in the very first inning, then followed it with six runs in the second. This time, the game took five innings, but it eventually had the same outcome--a run-rule victory, this time 16-8 for Big Blue.

The win moved the visitors--and trust me, you could tell Big Blue were the visitors, no matter which dugout they were occupying--into the championship game against the winner of the NC Snipers-Garnet Crush contest.

Semifinal Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
Bryce led off with a single and moved to third on JT's single. Gavin drove in the first run of the day with a sacrifice fly to left-center, and then Chace drove in JT with a double to left. With two outs, Big Blue piled on five more runs--Jake doubled in Chace, Joey tripled in Jake, Timmy singled in Joey and then raced all the way to third on a misplay in the outfield, Asher's grounder through the right side scored Timmy and then Trey ended the scoring with a single back through the middle. Big Blue batted all the way around in the inning and scored the full run limit of seven runs for the second straight first inning of the day.
Score after one inning: Big Blue 7, Porter Ridge 0

Second inning
For the second straight inning, Big Blue batted around. Bryce's hot shot to third scooted into the outfield and put him on second. JT singled, and Bryce scored on Gavin's grounder to the left side. With two on, Chace singled to load the bases. Mason smacked a two-run single, scoring JT and Gavin. With one out, Chace made a terrific baserunning play, scoring all the way from second base on Joey's grounder to second. But Big Blue wasn't done, as Timmy singled in Mason. Timmy moved to third on Asher's single, then scored on a single from Elias.
Score after two innings: Big Blue 13, Porter Ridge 2

Third inning
Bryce led off for the third time in the game, and reached base for the third straight time. He would also eventually score for the third straight time, as JT singled him to second and then Mason drove in both of them with a two-out, two-RBI double down the left field line.
Score after three innings: Big Blue 15, Porter Ridge 7

Fifth inning
Needing just one run to win the game, Elias led off with a double to left-center. He moved to third on Trey's fielder's choice, then scored on Bryce's walk-off single that invoked the run rule.
Score after five innings: Big Blue 16, Porter Ridge 8

Semifinal Web Gems

• Joey hauled in a fly ball in left-center in the first, likely preventing at least two runs.
• The play of the day, tournament and possible millennium was made by Elias in the second. Porter Ridge had scored two runs and had a runner on second when the hitter lofted a long fly ball down the left field line. With Coach Sean humming "Eli's Coming" in the dugout, Elias raced over to the line, laid out and grabbed the ball one-handed while careening towards the fence to end the inning. The play must have made a big impression on the local people of Mooresville and the surrounding area of Hopewell, because apparently one of the local papers decided to do a story on Elias, as you can see from the below headline (check the top right):

• Bryce stopped a line drive at second base leading off the fifth and final inning.

Semifinals line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Porter Ridge	0	2	5	0	1	X	8	12
Big Blue	7	6	2	0	1	X	16	18

Western Spring State Game 2: Big Blue 19, Mooresville Legends 0

In an unbelievable display of courage, heart and toughness, the visitor from Raleigh persevered through a tough 9 a.m. start against the homestanding Mooresville Legends.

But enough about Coach Eric. Big Blue also managed to get the win, 19-0, in the final game of pool play.

The game was shortened to three innings due to the run limit, but even in the shortened time frame, every player on the roster got at least one hit. Even more impressively, Big Blue managed to hit for the cycle in the first inning--Bryce homered, Gavin tripled, Joey doubled and pretty much everyone else singled. Even with the run limit, everyone also scored at least one run.

But the main storyline was the incredible heroism of Coach Eric. He sustained a ghastly injury on his pitching hand. Perhaps unwisely, the umpires did not choose to check his glove to see if perhaps the sandpaper he keeps in there had caused the cut.

As you would expect, Big Blue immediately rallied around their fallen coach, showing the heart, compassion and sportsmanship you would expect from such a fine collection of upstanding individuals. Basically, it was just like Louisville when Kevin Ware was hurt. It included:

• In true West Raleigh fashion, Coach Sean and Coach Kevin took a knee to show their concern for their injured teammate.
• Coach Ken kindly offered, "Do I need to call a whaaaaaaambulance?"
• The loyal Big Blue rooting section was heard to yell, "Can you stop talking about the cut and start pitching?"

It was truly a hearwarming display. But even more valiant was the toughness showed by Coach Eric, who never missed a single pitch on the way to his second straight complete (well, kind of) game. In terms of incredible sports comebacks, I would rate it just slightly ahead of the Michael Jordan flu game and just slightly behind Curt Schilling's bloody sock. If you missed the webcam broadcast, you can probably best picture it with this scene from the Karate Kid, except instead of, "Daniel LaRusso's going to FIGHT?" the crowd was shouting, "Coach Eric is going to PITCH?"

The win secured the top seed for Big Blue. The next game will be at 2:30 against the winner of Porter Ridge-Carolina Havoc. The winner of that game advances to the championship game at 5:30.

Game 2 Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
Bryce started the scoring with a homer to deep left. Gavin followed with a triple to center, then scored on Chace's single to left. Ben singled Chace to second, then Mason drove in Chace with a single. Jake singled to load the bases, and then Asher punched a single up the middle that scored Ben. Timmy ripped a shot off the machine that moved everyone up a base and scored Mason, and then Joey blasted a drive to deep right that scored two, invoking the seven-run rule.
Score after one-half inning: Big Blue 7, Mooresville Legends 0

Second inning
If Big Blue ever starts getting the leadoff man on base, they might really do some damage. With one out, Trey tripled to center. Bryce's single scored him, and then Gavin doubled in Bryce. Chace picked up an RBI single, Ben ripped a shot to third that put runners on first and second, and Mason smoked a bullet to the right side that eventually scored two and allowed Mason to go all the way to third.
Score after one and a half innings: Big Blue 12, Mooresville Legends 0

Third inning
Timmy decided he had had enough of not getting the leadoff man on base, so he singled. Joey tripled him home, then scored on Elias's single. Now moving base-to-base, Trey, Bryce, Gavin and Chace put together four consecutive singles. Ben, Mason and Jake collected the final three RBI of the inning, once again enabling Big Blue to reach the seven-run limit.
Score after two and a half innings: Big Blue 19, Mooresville Legends 0

Game 2 Web Gems

• In the second, Chace made a nice scoop of a low throw to get the force at first.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Big Blue	7	5	7	X	X	X	19	22
Mooresville Legends	0	0	0	X	X	X	0	0

Western Spring State Game 1: Big Blue 12, Porter Ridge 1

After the quick trip from Apex, Cary, West Raleigh and points inbetween, Big Blue reassembled in Mooresville for the Western Spring State. Just to make things more exciting, the Bees and Thunder decided to play eight innings in the afternoon's late game in West Raleigh, meaning Joey, Jake and Trey arrived just in time for the first pitch.

But once everyone arrived at the field, it was like Big Blue had never missed a beat. The first opponent of the tournament was Porter Ridge, which won the Western North Carolina state title in the summer of 2012 (the western version of the Eastern championship won by the West Raleigh All-Stars). But Big Blue got hits from 10 different players, outhit Porter Ridge 18-4, and flashed very solid defense, setting down Porter Ridge in order in two of the four innings. Just one Porter Ridge runner reached third base all night, and only three Porter Ridge runners reached second.

Coach Sean celebrated the game by losing his mind and declared--only after close consultation with Head Coach Adam, of course--that players could hit the hotel pool as long as they were in bed by 10 p.m. I was able to snap a quick photo of the Big Blue parents when he made that proclamation.

Big Blue will be right back on the field Sunday morning. The last pool game is at 9 a.m. against the Mooresville Legends, and bracket play will begin at either 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

Game 1 Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
With one out, JT singled through the left side. Gavin drove him in with a double to deep right-center, and then Chace singled home Gavin.
Score after one-half inning: Big Blue 2, Porter Ridge 0

Second inning
Again, it started with one out. Asher singled. Elias ran for Asher (the catcher) and motored to third on Joey's deep drive to right-center. Jake hit a sacrifice fly to left that scored Elias, and then Trey picked up a two-out RBI with a single to right. Big Blue picked up another two-out RBI when, after Bryce's single put runners on first and second, JT singled to center to score Trey.
Score after one and a half innings: Big Blue 5, Porter Ridge 0

Third inning
Chace led off with a double. With one down, Mason ripped a shot back through the middle that had Coach Eric doing some Matrix moves, scoring Chace. Asher picked up a two-out RBI with an opposite field single that scored Timmy.
Score after two and a half innings: Big Blue 7, Porter Ridge 1

Fourth inning
For the fourth straight inning, the scoring started with one out. This time, it was Trey who ignited the biggest inning of the game, ripping a single to right. He moved to second on Bryce's single, and then JT loaded the bases with a single. That set up Gavin for an epic at-bat, battling Coach Eric for nine pitches before eventually crushing a triple to right-center that cleared the bases. Chace drove in a run with a shot to left-center, Ben singled hard to left, and then Mason finished the scoring with an RBI double.
Score after three and a half innings: Big Blue 12, Porter Ridge 1

Game 1 Web Gems

• In the second, Jake snagged a fly ball in right field and very nearly hosed the runner tagging up at third trying to score.
• Bryce made a diving catch on a sinking liner in right-center leading off the third.
• Virtually the entire Big Blue infield made a heads-up play in the third. With a runner on first, the Porter Ridge hitter singled to center, apparently putting runners on first and second. But Porter Ridge tried to get too aggressive on the bases when the throw looked like it was going to squirt through the infield. They didn't count on Timmy backing up the play, grabbing it near first and throwing across the diamond to JT at third to nail the lead runner.
• Chace made a nice play backing up on a pop fly over shortstop to end the third.
• Ben ended the game by perfectly tracking a fly ball into right-center, going deep to make the play look easy.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Big Blue	2	3	2	5	X	X	12	18
Porter Ridge	0	1	0	0	X	X	1	4