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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/29/2021

SE World Series Crowns Trio of Champs

Matthew Welsh     
Photo: eXposure Prime 17u (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. -- Exposure Prime 17u took home the title at the Perfect Game Southeast World Series on Monday afternoon, beating the Home Plate Chili Dogs in an 8-0 run-rule victory at Perfect Game’s TOP Chops East Cobb Baseball Complex. 
 
It was Middle Tennessee State commit Carson Yates’ two home runs in this weekend’s final face-off that helped power the team from Chattanooga, Tenn. to its first championship of the summer. Yates, in his six games this weekend, knocked seven hits and drove in nine runs, good enough to earn him tournament MVP honors. 
 
“I hit it well all weekend, so I was just up there hacking today, seeing what I could do to help the team,” Yates said. “I put two good swings on two bombs, and of course it feels good in the championship.”
 
Yates gave his team a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, after taking a fastball well over the right field wall for a two-out two-RBI four-bagger, scoring Landon Franklin who reached earlier in the inning on a walk. Yates’ swing added to a 1-0 lead already assumed in the inning, after Caleb Nix crossed home on a fielder’s choice two batters prior. 
 
Exiting the second, Exposure had nearly all the momentum they would need to win the game, and took no time looking back. 
 
They added a fourth run in the bottom of the fourth inning, and advanced to the sixth inning posed to end it. After Landon Diamond doubled home another lone run, Yates stepped to the plate for his third at-bat of the game. 
 
He wasted no time, taking the first strike he saw for another two-run shot, this time clearing the wall in left field. For the second time in the game, Yates not only delivered another two-run blast, but also again drove in Franklin who had reached directly in front of him. 
 
“The pitcher was throwing pretty hard, and I knew he was going to give me a fastball to try and blow me away, and I just tried to stay opposite-away and to hit a line drive in the gap, and luckily, it caught on,” Yates said.

For his exploits, Yates received MVP honors of the 17u division. For the tournament altogether, Yates hit .538 with the two home runs, six runs total, and nine driven in.
 
Two batters later, Mason Parker scored on a double from Wyatt Fooks to end the game in six innings. Exposure's offensive, next-man-up attitude was a common theme in all six of the games in which the team took the field.
 
“I was just there to be a leader and make sure that we got runs when we needed them,” Yates said. “I wanted to make sure that our pitchers were good, and to go get balls in the outfield to make sure that they didn’t have to throw as many pitches.”
 
Not lost in the win was another utterly dominant outing from East Tennessee commit Jordan Woods. Following a Thursday outing in the team’s first pool play game, where he was perfect through four innings, Woods was equally as impressive in the title game. He threw a six-inning complete game shutout with eight strikeouts and only one walk. Only four batters even reached base against the lefty, whose fastball touched 87. 
 
“Usually I try to treat the games the same, just as any other game, and try to go out there and compete,” said Woods. “I always just try to get the win for the boys. It feels great, even though it felt a little rough coming in, but I’m glad I got it done. My defense definitely helped me out a lot here today.”
 
In the team’s late June exploits, Exposure posted a +39 run differential, a testament to growing confidence on the mound and in the batter’s box. And for a team preparing for the 17u WWBA Championship, the upward trend could not be coming at any better time.
 
“I think we’ve come together as a team, hitting-wise,” Yates said. “Our pitching has been good, but we’ve really started to hit the ball and put ourselves [there] for our team and not just for ourselves. We’re going to work hard, play hard, and try our best to win.”
 
With no games scheduled for next weekend, Exposure has a period of well-earned rest and relaxation ahead of the height of their season. Certainly, they will be hoping for a carry-over effect from the Southeast World Series.



Home Plate Chili Dog's Jake Willis took home MV-Pitcher honors for his work over the weekend, which included seven scoreless innings over two appearances, striking out 12 and walking none in that time.



Perfect Game 16u Southeast World Series
 
Georgia Bombers 16u Marucci won the 16u bracket of the Southeast World Series, beating the Home Plate Chili Dogs, 9-2, on Monday evening.
 
The Bombers spread nine hits over seven innings and allowed their opponents only three hits and seven total baserunners. Dominick Scalese earned the win, throwing 4 1/3 innings where he gave up three hits and struck out five. 
 
Carson Kerce pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing no runs and no hits.

Kerce was the MVP of the 16u bracket, having hit .529 with seven RBI and eight runs scored on the weekend, along with his efforts on the mound, which included four shutout innings over three outings.
 
Nathaniel Leverette led the way offensively for the Bombers in a 2-for-3 day, where he hit his team’s only double and plated two RBI. Leverette also scored three of his team’s nine runs. Garrett Garner also impressed, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a run scored.

Georgia Bombers' Nate Isler was named the MV-Pitcher of the tournament after his stunning performance against Razorbacks 16 Carner, in which he tossed five innings of one-hit ball, striking out 12 and walking none on just 60 pitches.
 


Perfect Game 15u Southeast World Series

Mid-Atlantic Dirtbags Anchor Down beat Smartense 15u in a close 4-0 affair for the 15u bracket’s championship at the Southeast World Series in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday.
 
Alex Gay started and earned the win for the Dirtbags, tossing five innings of one-hit, one-walk, scoreless baseball. He also added five strikeouts to his line. 
 
Michael Dinardo came in to relieve Gay and delivered a further two scoreless innings to seal the game for his team. 
 
Offensive standouts included Dominic Moats, who went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and one run scored, and Ryan Maxey, who went 1-for-2, also with one of his team’s four runs scored. This was the Dirtbags first tournament championship of the summer season.

Maxey earned MVP honors for his work, as he hit .611 over the course of the tournament, including 11 RBI and four runs scored, as well as six walks.

Mid-Atlantic's Geneo Savoca was the MV-Pitcher. Savoca threw nine scoreless innings over two appearances, striking out 14 against only two walks.