EMERSON, Ga. – The championship for the 13u Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational is set. Team Elite 13u Prospects defeated Jag Elite Black 13u 16-4 to secure a championship berth while Chain National defeated the East Cobb Colt .45s 20-5. Both games were lopsided and the end result never in doubt, that being said tomorrow’s championship matches up two offensive juggernauts.
Chain scored 10 runs in the first two innings of Thursday’s semifinal and cruised the rest of the way. The Colt .45s scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to bring the score to 12-5, but then Chain added eight runs in the top of the fifth to secure the run-rule victory.
The primary contributors on offense for Chain were Markel Jordan, Dakota Britt, Branson Owens, and Lane Rucker. Jordan had four hits, two runs scored and two RBI on the day while Britt, Owens, and Rucker all had three hits each and between two and four runs scored and RBI each.
Owens started on the mound for Chain and lasted four while allowing five runs, only two of which were earned. Owens wasn’t exactly efficient for Chain as he walked four and had 88 pitches through four innings. Breon Horne came into the game in the fifth inning and shut the door on the Colt .45s.
The story was similar for Team Elite as they struck early against Jag Elite scoring eight runs in the first two innings and chasing starting pitcher Eli Copenhaver from the game. The game plan was evident for Team Elite on offense, attack the fastball and attack it early in the count. Copenhaver left a few too many hittable pitches in the strike zone and Team Elite capitalized.
“We were looking fastball,” said Ayden Digiacomo, the starting pitcher and three-hole hitter for Team Elite. “Then he started giving them up so we took advantage of the pitches.”
Part of the eight-run barrage was an inside-the-park home run from Brady House. The 1-1 pitch was smoked to left-center where it got past the diving centerfielder. The hit ended up as a grand slam and House was hoping it got by the defense as soon as he hit it.
“I was thinking ‘these runs have to get in somehow,’” said House. “Once I saw him miss it I was looking at coach and seeing what he was telling me to do.”
On the mound, Digiacomo had electric stuff. He was commanding his fastball effectively and was often able to blow it by the opposing hitters. He did not have his most efficient day, 66 pitches and three walks in three innings, but the stuff was there as he struck out six batters. The pitching game plan was clear as Digiacomo was attacking with his fastball.
“Throwing fastballs and try to work the zone,” said Digiacomo on the game plan today against Jag Elite. “Get the count to two strikes and use the breaking ball.”
Team Elite defeated the 6-4-3 DP Cougars earlier today in the quarterfinals by a score of 4-3. With two consecutive wins on the same day Team Elite is riding high heading into the championship. It would appear that preparation and a determined approach would bode well for Team elite to continue their success.
“I think it’s us getting up early and getting ready to go,” said manager Aaron Trammell on how his team will look to continue their hot streak. “These boys are ready to come play for these type of games and they’re looking to keep the momentum going. We’ve hit a good stride the past couple of games and it’s going to be a big deal to start out good with our pitchers as far as throwing a lot of strikes and setting the tone early for us.”
For the 13u level doubleheaders and extended play in tournaments can be new for some players. Trammell and the rest of the coaching staff have been working hard over the offseason and into the summer to prepare their team for multiple tournaments in the span of a few months and more specifically multiple games over the course of a three or four day stretch.
“When it gets to this time of year the boys expect to play these (doubleheaders) and they have to stay hydrated,” said Trammell. “They’re used to it and they just have to come out ready to go; they knew the scenario and they were ready to come out and play two.”
Team Elite as a program is no stranger to success, they have been a mainstay at Perfect Game tournaments for years and always provide top-talent teams and normally are near the top five teams at the end of a tournament. This 13u squad is no exception. Starting from Trammell, this team expects success and always expects to finish at the top of a tournament.
”It’s a big deal anytime you get somewhere like that (championship game),” said Trammell. “Even though we’ve been here a lot it’s always good to come out here and get one. That’s always the goal when we step on the field.”
Teams often have many goals and objectives when they enter Perfect Game tournaments. Whether it be to play to the best of your ability, grow as a team, or even to just have fun, teams enter these tournaments look to accomplish these goals. When asked on what his goal for his team was tomorrow, Trammell gave a succinct, business-like answer.
“Win.”