EMERSON, Ga. — The Georgia Roadrunners are back again for the 14u WWBA National Championship, with the chance of securing back-to-back titles, as they took home the 14u honors in 2016. The second day of this year's tournament proved to be a test, as the Roadrunners fell to the Dallas Tigers, 10-4, losing a 4-2 lead in the sixth off a string of singles and a passed ball.
“We gotta learn from out mistakes and just move on,” said head coach Tyler Boling.“ A couple position changes and a little more hustle and I think we’re good in [getting back to last year’s form.]”
Along with the championship title on the line, the 14u WWBA National Championship is one of the events Perfect Game uses to select 40 players for the 14u Perfect Game Select Baseball Festival. The PG Select Baseball Festival is a chance for incoming freshman to get a taste of Perfect Game’s All-American Classic, which is a televised event held at San Diego’s Petco Park for the nation’s top 50 high school seniors.
The 14u version is comprised of the top 20 East and 20 West players, and will be televised by Fox Sports over Labor Day weekend at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
“It think it would be amazing for them, a really great opportunity,” said Boling about the 14u PG Select Baseball Festival. “It’s a great experience and every kid wants to have that opportunity.”
Last year’s MVP and MV-Pitcher of the 14u WWBA National Championship, Dalton Pearson and Patrick Holloman, were two Roadrunners selected to play in the inaugural 14u Select Baseball Festival—illustrating the success and talent within the Roadrunners' organization.
“Tom Haire does a really good job of communicating with people and alumni, and just players from the past and [through] word of mouth,” said Boling. “We have players from North Carolina and Puerto Rico, so he does a really good job recruiting- wise.”
The Roadrunner program is based a stone’s throw away from the LakePoint complex in Alpharetta, Georgia, which has proved to be a prime location for youth development.
“We are always playing people developed as a team, so we’re not facing teams that we are going to completely roll over, we are always going to have a tough game or two,” said right-handed pitcher D.J. Radtke.
This year’s 14u Roadrunners are a team of fresh faces, and will have to top a pool of tough competition to get back to last year’s position.
“It’s really important to [continue this success],” said Boling. “The Roadrunners is a really good program, and we are a first-year team, so we have a lot of pressure on us. But give us a couple years, and we are definitely going to get there.”
However, they can pull from one returner, Radtke, who was part of last year’s winning 14u team.
“It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” said Radtke. “We beat one of the best teams in the entire country, entire world, so it’s a heavy weight on this team’s shoulders.”
Coming into the second day of play, there is a four-way tie for first between the Roadrunners, Dallas Tigers, Tidewater Drillers and Alabama Elite Moore. Radtke was a standout on the mound on Saturday, tossing five innings, while giving up five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. The 6-foot-3 righty hit for himself, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
“I was able to get a two-seam working really well,” said Radtke. “Just mixed it up with the curve and kept control of my pitches.”
The offense came around in the fifth to compliment Radtke's strong outing, as second baseman Harris Celata knocked a single to ignite the offense. Right fielder Angelo Scionti followed up with another single, and shortstop Kareh Valentin brought in the first run of the game.
The Roadrunner program brings some Caribbean talent to the East Cobb area, with Valentin recently moving to the mainland from Caguas, Puerto Rico. A plus fielder, showing off range and a steady glove with quick hands, says he keeps nimble by making Boling hit “lasers” during infield.
“It’s fun [playing here,]” said Valentin. “The fields are different in Puerto Rico and it's hotter [in Puerto Rico,] but the [competition] is the same.”
Radtke, batting in the four-hole, pushed the Roadrunners ahead for a short while, hitting an RBI single through the gap between short and third to take a 3-2 lead. Left fielder Connor Bradley turned some heads when he pulled a liner down the right field line in the fourth.
“We just started seeing the ball better and making adjustments,” said Bradley about the short-lived offense in the middle innings.
The North Carolina native has continued to impress his coach with his approach at the plate, coupled with his plus power and bat speed.
“[Bradley] had a really good at-bat,” said Boling. “It’s amazing that a kid at 14 years old can generate 88 mph bat speed.”
In the end it wasn't enough, as the Tigers answered in the sixth and scored two off an errant throw to home. The wheels proceeded to come off, as the Tigers pulled away with a four-run deficit by way of several singles and a passed ball. The Roadrunners still however, have plenty of baseball left to play, with five more games on the schedule.
“It’s a long road, you just have to take it one game at a time and keep fighting hard,” said Radtke. “We have to keep the right mindset and stay in the game the whole way through, and make plays.”