FORT MYERS, Fla. – A year ago, nearly half of the roster for Team Carolinas fell a game short playing in the 2016 12u PG Series Classic championship, falling to a team from Puerto Rico in the final. Fast forward to 2017 and that group, along with some new faces, needed a massive rally in a come-from-behind semifinal victory before shutting out Puerto Rico Blue 8-0 on Sunday at JetBlue Park.
The early morning semifinal matchups consisted of two Puerto Rico sides duking it out with Team Blue against Team White, and it was Puerto Rico Blue lefthander Edwin Jadiel Gomez Roman (2021, San Lorenzo, P.R.) who stole the show. Roman was an out away from tossing a complete game as he hit his daily pitch limit, but not before leading his team to the championship game as Puerto Rico Blue defeated Puerto Rico White 5-1.
Carolinas matched up with Florida in their semifinal, and heading into the sixth inning the outcome of the game favored Florida as they took a 4-0 lead with six outs to go. Carolinas put up an inning to savor as they scored six runs and went ahead for good on a Caleb Walker (2021, Asheboro, N.C.) two-run single as they moved on to the championship game with a 7-4 victory.
The early stages of the championship game saw chances for Puerto Rico Blue to open the scoring, but strong defense from the Carolinas came through in the clutch on two occasions.
In the first, a two-base error and a single netted runners at the corners with one out for Puerto Rico Blue, but Carolinas starter Parker Byrd (2022, Laurinburg, N.C.) picked off the runner at first and escaped the inning on a grounder to second.
The same scenario occurred in the third, as Puerto Rico Blue had runners on the corners with one out with Harnel Rodriguez at the plate. Rodriguez hit a liner right near the bag at first, and Carolinas’ first baseman Xavier Issac (2022, Kernersville, N.C.) didn’t have to reach far to snare the liner that was in foul territory. He recovered to tag the bag at first to complete the double play and keep the game scoreless.
In the fourth, the Carolinas broke through with a two-out rally to plate the game’s first run. Cody Craig (2021, Rock Hill, S.C.) sent a double bounding off the Green Monster and was brought home as Connor Rasmussen (2022, Fort Mill, S.C.) blooped in a single that was just out of the reach of the Puerto Rico Blue left fielder to make it 1-0.
In the fifth, Carolinas finally got to Puerto Rico Blue starter Yandiel Diaz Santiago (2022, Maunabo, P.R.) as three straight singles by Walker, Trey Way (2022, Randleman, N.C.) and Braylen Hayes (2022, Sophia, N.C.) loaded the bases to begin the inning. Byrd drew a walk to force in a run to make it 2-0, and Colt Wilkins (2021, Greensboro, N.C.) lined a single to center to make it 3-0.
Puerto Rico Blue gifted Carolinas runs on a wild pitch, a number of defensive lapses and a balk, all in told amounting to a seven-run fifth that put Carolinas in position to close out the game needing three more outs.
Byrd finished a strong outing on the mound in style, striking out the final batter to complete his shutout and give the championship belt to his team and coach Kyle Cliff.
“The semifinal game showed what we were about all week, battling to the last out and never giving up,” Cliff said. “The kids talked about it on the first day trying to get back to the championship game and win it. They got back here and they did it. It was a great group, had a lot of guys play a lot of positions and they never complained about it. I’m really proud of them.”
Roman’s semifinal effort was a big reason why he took the Most Valuable Pitcher award for the week for Puerto Rico Blue, as he compiled a 2-0 record and didn’t allow a run in 10 2/3 innings.
Craig had a strong showing all week long at the plate for Carolinas, and he picked up the Most Valuable Player for the tournament as he went 10-for-18 for the week, had three doubles, four RBI and stole four bases.
2017 13u PG Series Classic runner-up: Puerto Rico Blue
2017 13u PG Series Classic MVP: Cody Craig
2017 13u PG Series Classic MV-Pitcher: Edwin Jadiel Gomez Roman
