SMYRNA,
Ga. – For the second time in as
many days, Gravel Baseball (7-0) rallied to win a game in their final
turn to hit.
On
Wednesday morning, the Chicago, Ill.-based organization mounted a
comeback against the Richmond Braves 2015 American (0-7) and emerged
6-5 winners as Chris Botsoe grounded the game-winning single to
center field, scoring Jake Surpaenant from third.
Gravel
head coach Sam Sorce, in his 18th year with the organization, said
pitching in large part has carried the group to its unbeaten finish
in pool play at the 2012 WWBA 15u National Championship.
“I
was able to throw our top four guys,” said Sorce, referring to
Botsoe, Charlie Donovan, Nelson Munoz and Ako Thomas. Munoz and
Thomas have pitched complete game shutouts.
Sorce
helped begin the organization’s youth teams in the early 1990s.
“Prairie
Gravel was the first name,” Sorce explained. “That was founded in
the late 1970s. It was a semi-pro team, combining college players and
ex-pro players. Then when my two boys were about 10, I started the
younger teams.”
Sorce
said there used to be four Gravel teams, but has now settled for one
team at a time.
“Now
I just keep the same team and go 10u-17u,” Sorce said.
The
Gravel will advance out of Pool G and continue playing as one of 32
playoff teams in the event, which begin Wednesday evening. Please visit the WWBA 15u National Championship schedule page for information on playoff
seeding and matchups.
https://www.perfectgame.org/events/TournamentSchedule.aspx?event=1204