EC
Braves rock the 15u PG/EC Invitational
EMERSON,
Ga. – The East Cobb Braves went a perfect 7-0 in this year’s 15u
Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational. They experienced some tests on
their way to the championship against equally talented opponents, but
their preparation carried them past all other teams and guided them
to hardware.
They
played a stacked Team Elite Prime that has a roster riddled with
Division I commits in the semifinal game, and they knew it would be
their toughest challenge. The semifinal was very close; it took three
runs in the final inning of the game to win the game. Their walkoff
win was very fun to watch and more than likely fueled their
adrenaline for the championship game, as if they really needed it
considering how well they played throughout the week. The game ended
with score of 7-6, and then the Braves set their hearts on the
championship.
The
Braves claimed the 2015 15u PG-EC Invitational championship title
against Team Georgia Mizuno Elite by the score of 6-2. An early
single by the Braves’ Caleb Bartolero carried this team to a
victory in this exciting championship game. This single was a part of
their three-run inning to start the game, which set the tone for rest
of the contest. Team Georgia retaliated in the third with a
much-needed two-out run. Team Georgia seemed to be squaring up balls
well, but that was the last inning that they would put a run on the
scoreboard.
Team
Georgia’s starter wasn’t in the game for long, as the Braves
steadily hit screaming line drives and consistently put up runs. Team
Georgia minimized the damage that the Braves could have done multiple
times with clutch double plays and diving catches, but the Braves’
offense proved to be just too much them.
The
MVP award was handed to the Braves’ Baylin Moore, who hit .470,
scored four runs. His spectacular hitting performance also came with
a little bit of power, hitting one home run and three doubles. What
is possibly the most important stat of Baylin Moore’s 2015 PG/EC
Invitational performance are his 20 RBIs. That type of run production
from one player is unheard of, and Baylin felt very fortunate to have
helped his team so much this week.
“I
was really trying to get my swing down cause my timing was a little
bit off before this tournament, said Moore. “I was working on
adjustments in the cages, but it was more of a mental thing because I
knew that we were playing really good teams. I wanted to be
aggressive but selective at the same time when I was at the plate
this weekend. I didn’t want to swing at too many wild pitches, but
I also wanted find those fastballs. My teammates really helped me
this week, and I really fed off of them.”
The
MV-Pitcher award was given to Team Georgia’s Bryar Hawkins, who was
fantastic in his semifinal start. His team was relying on him to give
them a chance to advance to the championship and that is just what he
did, throwing a complete game shutout. His stats for the tournament
include 11 innings pitched, two wins, 11 strikeouts, and a 0.00 ERA.
“Going
into this weekend I was really focused on making sure that I threw
strikes and kept my pitch count low,” said Hawkins. “I knew that
my team would need me for multiple games so I had to be fresh. My
two-seam fastball and my splitter were great this weekend. I was glad
I was able to keep it low, get ground balls, and keep my pitch count
low.”
Head
Coach Chris Ottinger really felt that his entire team pulled together
to win this tournament. The East Cobb Braves are a team to be
reckoned with on any level, so it is no surprise that they have come
out on top in this year’s 2015 Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational.
This particular 15u team had no time to celebrate after their
championship victory, as they had to play their first game of pool
play for another tournament starting later in the day.
Summer
Baseball is demanding, but it can’t be too bad when you’re
winning as much as the East Cobb Braves are. Coach Ottinger feels
confident in his team's ability to win more games as the summer
continues.
“It’s
going to sound cliché, but it truly is a team environment with these
guys. These guys pulled together and were ready when their
opportunity was there. Our pitchers stepped up in big situations, and
our road was no joke. We had to play a lot of good teams but the
collective effort was great.
“For
these guys, playing all these great teams really solidifies what they
are capable of. We enter the next tournament here in the next couple
of hours, and we’re tired, but we feel good.”
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational runnerup: Team Georgia Mizuno
Elite 15u
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational MVP: Baylin Moore
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational MV-Pitcher: Bryar Hawkins
Georgia
Jackets National crowned champions
The
Georgia Jackets National have won the 2015 14u PG/East Cobb
Invitational, and they won it with moxie. The theme of the tournament
for the Jackets was to keep the energy up and keep everyone involved
in the game at all times. Their key to success was the morale that
they exhibited mixed with some very good baseball. They started
playing their best baseball when they exited pool play which proved
to be rather advantageous throughout their playoff run.
Their
championship game against the East Cobb Braves wasn’t the closest
game, but it definitely had its exciting moments.
The
Braves were the first one draw blood, as they put up one in the
first. The Jackets battled back with two runs in the second inning,
which included a magnificent home run from Andre Tarver.
This
game included amazing offensive production from the Jackets, but that
is not to take away from the defense, which was equally as
impressive. Right fielder Holden Tucker flashed his glove with a
stellar diving catch in the fourth inning. To match the defense
starting pitcher Ty Jones threw four hitless innings and ended up
getting the win in a complete game effort as the game ended with the
Jackets on top by a score of 6-1.
Ty Jones’s performance on the mound and at the plate earned him the
honors of MVP. Ty made this most out of this tournament with his
eight hits, one home run, and whopping nine runs scored. Going into
this tournament, Ty wanted to stay focused and have a routine.
“Our
team prepares very well, and I think that preparation is what got us
here,” Jones said. “Defense was huge, they played great. We got
clutch hits all the way through. We played some good teams but our
defense and clutch hitting is what got us through. Winning this
tournament was extra special because we got to play East Cobb and we
know those guys pretty well, so that’s always fun.”
The
Most Valuable Pitcher award was given to Nathan Camp. The Jackets
knew they were going to need solid pitching to win this tournament
and they called on Camp to give them a chance to win the semifinals,
and he did not disappoint. Camp threw a complete game, only allowing
one run, and had five strikeouts.
“My
curveball was my go-to pitch this weekend. My location was great with
it,” said Camp. “My mindset when I was on the mound was to just
get the next batter. I was taking it one pitch at a time.”
Georgia
Jackets National reached the championship unscathed, but did take an
unusual route to the title game. They tied their first two pool
games, and it came down to the final pool game against the Cobb
Coyotes in order for them to advance. They took care of business in a
close game and moved on to the playoffs where they disposed of teams
with ease. Their semifinal game against Outlaws Baseball was decided
by a score 6-1, and from there they continued the trend of winning in
the championship.
This
championship win at the 2015 Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational is
the second PG tournament that this 14u Georgia Jackets National team
has won this year, winning the Southeastern Championship a couple of
months back. They have really started to pick up steam, and they look
to add some more PG trophies to the trophy case as the summer
continues. Their intensity was unmatched this week. These players
were on a mission to hold up this year’s championship banner, and
they would not be denied.
Coach
Josh Meade was ecstatic about the way his boys played this week.
“These
guys came out with an attitude and intensity that they maintained all
week. They never let up for the entire tournament, and everyone
contributed. They played confident. The players love it. This is big,
especially going forward in to the WWBA tournament next week. Moving
forward, we just want to keep this same winning attitude.”
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational champions: Georgia Jackets
National
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational runnerup: East Cobb Braves
14u
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational MVP: Ty Jones
2015
15u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational MV-Pitcher: Nathan Camp
Home
Plate Chilidogs escape with championship
The
Home Plate Chilidogs, led by Coach Tony Schmits, has been crowned
champions at the 2015 13u PG/East Cobb Invitational. The Chilidogs
sealed the deal in a high-scoring battle that came all the way down
to the last pitch.
This
game had everything that you can ask for in a championship; a lot of
scoring, a close game, and towering extra-base hits. This game ended
in favor of the Chilidogs by a score of 11-10, but throughout the
entire game, it was hard to tell whether the Chilidogs were going to
be able to hold on for the win.
The
game started off with four runs for the Iron Pigs, a very hot start
that gave them momentum until the Chilidogs came back the very next
inning and retaliated with a run of their own off a series of deep
hits to all areas of the outfield. The next two innings were big for
the Chilidogs, as they put up a four-spot in the third inning and a
five-spot in the fourth. They really poured on the runs, and the
general feeling around the ballpark was that the Chilidogs would run
away with this game; but alas, the Iron Pigs were able to get back
into it.
The
Iron Pigs refused to lie down and steadily put up runs inning after
inning. The Iron Pigs did their best to chip away at the Chilidogs’
lead, but to no avail. The Chilidogs showed amazing focus down to the
very last inning, and they needed every little bit of that focus. The
game’s final inning included another rally by the Iron Pigs that
had the winning run at the plate, but the Chilidogs put out that fire
with poise and claimed the championship.
It
was certainly a team effort for the Chilidogs in their championship
run, but they had a huge helping hand from third baseman Allen
Fluellen. Fluellen was outstanding this week with his six hits and
eight RBI. He drove in an astounding amount of runs and was the main
contributor for the Chilidogs in this year’s 13u PG/East Cobb
Invitational.
“I
don’t think I would have had the performance that I had this week
without my support group,” said a calm Luellen. “My team and my
parents helped me a lot this week. The competition that I faced this
week was amazing, but we were able to overcome it with the help of my
support group. After this tournament, I think people will start
taking us more seriously.”
The
Chilidogs did more than hold their own this tournament, they shined.
The Chilidogs’ had an undefeated path to the championship game, but
that doesn’t mean that there weren’t challenges that they had to
face along the way. They truly earned their spot in the championship
with their semifinal bout against the Hardknox Orioles.
The
Chilidogs were down by as many as five runs late into the game, but
they mustered up an impressive comeback the next inning to take
control of the game. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Chilidogs
put up six runs to gain the lead, and from there they held on and
advanced. They played some very entertaining baseball and came out on
top.
This
team touched on all aspects of the game when they needed to, and
Coach Schmits could not be prouder of his 13 year olds.
“Early
in the tournament it was pitching, and late in the tournaments it was
our bats. We did a real good job of not walking people. Against the
Orioles and against these guys (the Iron Pigs) we had huge innings
that really gave us the game. I’m proud of the way these guys
persevered this week.”
This
is the Home Plate Chilidogs last tournament of the summer, and they
were thrilled to end it on a high note. The players have been looking
forward to this tournament all summer, and that could be part of the
reason why they played so well. The level of enthusiasm was special
to watch, and the Chilidogs look to bring that enthusiasm back to PG
events for summers to come.
“PG
puts on the best tournaments in the whole country, so we were really
looking forward to this tournament,” Schmits added. “The fields
are immaculate, and our kids love being here. They actually compete
at a higher level when they play at nicer facilities and bigger
tournaments. It’s been a great summer and we can’t wait to
compete in more PG events.”
2015
13u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational champions: Home Plate Chilidogs Schmits
2015
13u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational runnerup: Iron Pigs
2015
13u Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational MVP: Allen Fluellen
