FORT
MYERS, Fla. – Rain delays and thunderstorms dominated conversations
all week at the 17u BCS Finals until a final four teams remained to
play early on Saturday morning. The first semifinal matchup consisted
of Xtreme Tornadoes 16u (5-1-0) facing Elite Squad Select 17u (4-1-1)
and the second saw the Team Elite Roadrunners 17U (7-1-0) play IBAHS
2016 (5-1-1).
Things
started out quickly for Elite Squad Select as they jumped out to an
early 1-0 lead thanks to a first-inning RBI single from Edmund
Americaan. From there, things quieted down as Elite Squad starter,
Daniel Rivero, toed the rubber and quietly tossed five shutout
innings allowing only a single hit and one walk while striking out
seven Xtreme batters.
Elite
Squad broke the game open in the top of the sixth posting eight runs
thanks in part to RBI doubles from both Brooks Aristy and Eduardo
Antonini.
With
one game decided, the winner of Team Elite Roadrunners 17u and IBAHS
2016 would set the long-awaited championship game, and it did not
take long. LSU commit Jonathan Gettys took the mound for the
Roadrunners and fired a 15 strikeout no-hit performance allowing only
three men to reach base the entire game.
As
Gettys took the mound for the seventh and final inning of the game
the Elite Squad players gathered behind the plate to watch him
attempt to finish off his no-hit bid. He failed to disappoint
generating three quick outs dazzling with his fastball that touched
91 mph and jaw-dropping breaking ball.
Behind
such dominant pitching, the offensive efforts of Austin Biggar, who
had a pair of doubles, and Branden Fryman’s three hits were enough
to propel the Roadrunners to a 5-0 win and into the Championship
game.
With
both teams set, they gathered back on the field to try and beat the
impending weather.
Elite
Squad starter, Jaggar McCoy, fired a quick 1-2-3 inning with three
groundballs to get the game started. In the bottom half of the first,
Edmond Americaan laced a triple to the right field wall, but was
stranded at third to end the inning.
There
was little noise from either side until the bottom half of the second
when Dan Vaughan led off with a single. He was able to jog home
thanks to an Anthony Mulrine two-run home run that landed well beyond
the left field wall.
The
Roadrunners were not discouraged. They quickly collected a pair of
singles with one out to give them their first runner in scoring
position of the game. However, an untimely ground ball to second
stymied their efforts as the Elite Squad infielders turned a nifty
double play to escape the jam.
In
the bottom of the fourth Elite Squad got another runner on base who
ended up on third after stealing second and advancing to third on an
error. After an RBI single and a sac fly, Elite Squad extended their
lead to 4-0 after four innings.
Each
team’s pitching staff managed to get in a quick fifth inning before
a lightning delay caused both teams to clear the field momentarily.
Once
play resumed, Jeremy Szozda retook the mound for his third inning of
relief for Elite Squad. After a leadoff single from Nick Wilhite the
Roadrunners netted their first run of the game after a triple from
Austin Biggar, who then came around to score on a wild pitch. That
cut the deficit to two runs for an inspired Roadrunners team.
The
Roadrunners returned to the plate in the top of the seventh with the
Championship on the line. A leadoff double from Mason McWhorter had
chants and cheers coming from the inspired Roadrunners’ dugout.
Justin
Carrillo entered the game in relief for Elite Squad with the
opportunity to earn the save and secure the win, and he did not
falter. He struck out the first batter he faced on a breaking ball in
the dirt, then painted fastballs on the outside corner to strikeout
the next two. His teammates from the bench and fielders made a mad
dash to the pitcher’s mound and formed a massive dogpile to
celebrate the win.
The
MVP for the tournament was announced as Edmond Americaan of Elite
Squad who posted a ridiculous stat line that included going 12-for-23
at the plate with 10 RBI, 11 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
MV-Pitcher was awarded to Jonathan Gettys after his dominant no-hit
performance with 15 strikeouts in the semifinals for the Roadrunners.
Elite
Squad Select will share the 17u BCS Finals crown with the GBSA Rays
17u team that were forced to leave on Friday due to travel
arrangements. Team Elite Roadrunners will be co-runner-ups with Next
Level Baseball 17u.
The
win for Elite Squad comes as a bigger win emotionally as they played
with heavy hearts after the passing of their coach Sergio Ambros. To
read more about Coach Ambros and his impact on the Elite Squad program please read
this feature from the 16u WWBA National Championship: Scrappers play with a heavy heart.
2015 17u BCS Finals co-Champions: GBSA Rays 17u
2015
17u BCS Finals co-runner-up: Team Elite Roadrunners
2015
17u BCS Finals MVP: Edmond Americaan
2015
17u BCS Finals MV-Pitcher: Jonathan Gettys
