5/23/2014
In their first game of the Memorial Day Classic Tournament, Venom defeated the Scottsdale Fire 16U thanks to two lead-changing runs in the top of the 7th inning.
Those two runs came thanks to an Venom's Aaron Contreras (Verrado HS, Litchfield Park, AZ, 2017) triple which knocked in Wyatt Dodson (Sandra Day O'Connor HS, Glendale, AZ, 2016) and Kyle Jenson (Verrado HS, Buckeye, AZ, 2017). Jenson had an impactful day otherwise, going 2-3 with 2 runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Venom's leadoff hitter, 2B Chase Sowinski (Mountain Ridge HS, Glendale, AZ, 2017) also had a standout day at the plate, reaching base 4 times with 2 singles and 2 walks, and tacked on a stolen base to go with it.
Scottsdale Fire's Ian McMillan (Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ, 2017) shone out, collecting 2 of the team's 4 hits, and scoring their first run and collecting a stolen base. Max Miller (Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ, 2017) also contributed to the Fire's attack by knocking in the other run.
On the mound, the top performer of the day was Venom's Westin Vanderwerf (Independence HS, Avondale, AZ, 2016), who struck out 4 in 3 perfect innings of relief to collect the win. Scottsdale Fire's starter Drew Wayland (Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ, 2017) struck out 7 batters in his 4 innings of work while recording a no decision.