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Tournaments  | Championship  | 6/25/2020

VBA 18U Black Takes Game Away from 643

Brett Greenberg     
Photo: VBA 18u Black (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. – After a long week of pool play games, bracket play, and countless lightning delays, it was finally time to crown a champion for the 2020 18U WWBA National Championship. The championship game, Thursday afternoon, featured an underdog with the 15th seeded VBA 18U Black and the fourth seeded 643 DP Cougars 17U Pralgo. 

Despite dropping a game in pool play, VBA fought back and found themselves competing for a championship. It was a difficult road for VBA, winning four bracket games to get there and squeaking out 10-7, 6-4, and 4-3 victories before winning their semifinal game by 10 runs. VBA is based out of Huntsville, Alabama and every player on the roster is committed to play college ball at the University of Alabama, the University of South Alabama, the University of Tennessee-Martin, and several other universities. 



The 643 DP Cougars played one less game than VBA in bracket play after earning a first-round bye after pool play, scoring 33 runs while giving up only 14. 643 was able to skate by with a 1-0 victory in the first-round while taking care of the Georgia Bombers 2020 9-1 in the quarterfinals. The semifinal game was played against the East Cobb Astros 18U, a team filled with D-1 commitments. It took 10 innings, but the Cougars were able to knock off the tournament favorite by a score of 4-1. The 643 DP Cougars are in the 17U division and are filled with 2021 grads, so having a chance to compete for a 18U WWBA title is an accomplishment in itself. This set up what would be an eventful final game of the week. 

After starting pitcher, Alyjah James Richardson, went three up three down in the top of the first inning, 643 kept the momentum going by scoring two runs. Marshall Toole was able to get a bunt down for an infield base hit then steal 2nd base. With two runners in scoring position, Tyler Hare came through big with a 2-run RBI double to break open the scoring for 643. In his second inning of work, Richardson walked two batters allowing Colson Lawrence to score on a fielding error. After a pair of three up three down half innings in the third, VBA was able to attack the 643 pitchers and load up the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 4th. Nicholas Constantine, Western Kentucky commit, drove in two runs enabling VBA to take the lead 3-2.  

Despite being down by a run, 643 continued to fight in the bottom half of the fourth plating two runs and ultimately regaining the lead 4-3. Class of 2021 first baseman, Nick O'Reilly, singled to score his teammate, Parker Lester, class of 2021 Miami (Oh.) commit. This would be 643’s last time crossing the plate despite several opportunities in the late innings. 

643 would see it’s slim one run lead vanish in the top half of the fifth inning as VBA loaded the bases after a base hit followed up by two bunts for base hits. With the bases loaded and no outs, VBA took this opportunity to plate two more runs and regain the lead 5-4 thanks to a walk by Caden Rose and Dylan Ray getting hit by a pitch. 

With a one run lead in sixth inning, VBA would turn to Dylan Ray to close the door on the 643 DP Cougars and be crowned champions. Ray would go on to pitch 1.2 innings, giving up just one hit and preserving the 5-4 lead for VBA. 

In the bottom of the seventh, 643 was threatening with a man on third with two outs. Despite a hard-hit line drive, Colson Lawrence made the last out of the week.  

The celebration began as the VBA players and coaches rejoiced on the mound ending in a fitting dogpile. VBA are the 2020 18U WWBA National Champions and will look to carry over their success into the next Perfect Game tournament. VBA’s victory ended a wonderful week of baseball. It had excitement, great play, and first-class competition, which can be expected at future Perfect Game events. 
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