2,075 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story  | 6/4/2018

Trio of PG East Cobb champs named

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Team Elite Prime (Perfect Game)

Nix Double, Hamacher Gem Lead Astros to Victory

EMERSON, Ga. – Benjamin Hamacher tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, and Caleb Nix drove in the game’s only run as the East Cobb Astros downed Five Star National Snyder 1-0 in the championship game of the 14u Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational on Monday.

Hamacher, who was named the MV-Pitcher of the tournament, scattered six Five Star hits over the course of his outing. With just one strikeout and a strike percentage of 67, he relied on an Astros defense that was solid behind him all day.

“The confidence level goes up as a pitcher when your defense is doing well,” said Hamacher. “I felt like everything was working for me today.”

Both teams would strand base runners through the first six innings of play as Five Star National starter Kellon Rollings was just as dominant, holding the Astros to just one hit over five innings of work.

After the Astros had the winning run cut down at the plate earlier in the seventh, Caleb Nix came to the plate with a chance to give his team the lead. Nix drove a pitch deep to the gap in left field, plating teammate Jared Jones.

“I just wanted to find a good pitch and put a good swing on it,” said Nix. “We’ve been working all week to get our bat head and pull the ball of these good pitchers, and today it paid off.”

Averaging eight runs per game, and achieving a team earned-run average of 1.09 for the tournament, allowed this Astros team to dominate most the week. While Nix was heroic in today’s championship victory, he enjoyed success all week, batting .429 with five runs batted in, taking home the MVP honors.


2018 14u PG East Cobb Invitational champions: East Cobb Astros



2018 14u PG East Cobb Invitational runner-up: 5 Star National Snyder



2018 14u PG East Cobb Invitational MVP: Caleb Nix



2018 14u PG East Cobb Invitational MV-Pitcher: Benjamin Hamacher

 



Roadrunners Outlast DRB Elite in Back and Forth Title Game

EMERSON, Ga. – Roadrunners Baseball came from behind, then walked-off DRB Elite Sapp 4-3 to claim the championship at the 16u Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational on Monday.

Matthew Cassandra was brilliant all day, picking up the win on the mound, as well as adding a two-run single at the plate. Cassandra, who was named the tournament MVP, noted his team’s resiliency in the big win.

“We always like to have energy in our dugout, and that energy always drives us to make big plays when we have to,” said Cassandra. “We do what coach asks us to do, and I knew I came prepared and just had to execute.”

Trailing 2-0 in the fifth inning, Roadrunners Baseball was able to finally get something started off of DRB Elite starter Dylan Strickland. After forcing a pitching change that lead to a pair of walks, the Roadrunners found themselves just one run behind with the bases loaded and nobody out.

DRB Elite would make another call to the bullpen for ace Brandt Pancer, who was able to retire the first two batters he faced. With the Roadrunners scoring chance beginning to dwindle, Cassandra came to the plate and delivered one of the biggest at-bats of the tournament, singling up the middle to give his team a 3-2 lead.

After an uneventful sixth inning, DRB Elite’s Lukas Cook sent the first pitch of the seventh over the wall in left field, tying the game at three. As both pitchers began to settle in, the Roadrunners’ Dalton Pearson knew it was time to make something happen on the basepaths in the bottom of the eighth.

“I knew they weren’t going to get me on the first steal of second, and so I figured why use my speed and try for third to make something happen,” said Pearson. On his steal of third, Pearson would draw an overthrow, leading to the walk off victory for the Roadrunners.

“Our motto is to never back down. We always fight to the end. It doesn't matter if we’re down 35-0, were always going to fight to the end.”

Losing pitcher Brandt Pancer would take home MV-Pitcher honors for the tournament, giving up no earned runs and striking out nine batters over the course of the week. Pancer, who is still uncommitted in the class of 2020, is ranked as the 33rd-best prospect in the state of Georgia.  


2018 16u PG East Cobb Invitational champions: Roadrunners Baseball



2018 16u PG East Cobb Invitational runner-up: DRB Elite 16u - Sapp



2018 16u PG East Cobb Invitational MVP: Matthew Cassandra



2018 16u PG East Cobb Invitational MV-Pitcher: Brandt Pancer

 



Suppa and Ritter Dominate in Low Scoring Affair

EMERSON, Ga. – Ryan Suppa and Dowd Ritter combined for six shutout innings on Monday, leading Team Elite Prime 18u to the 2-1 win over Nelson Baseball School 18u in the Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational championship game.

Suppa, who was able to scatter one hit and two walks over his three innings of work, is part of a Georgia recruiting class that currently ranks as 2019’s 30th best. With a fastball that has been up to 92 in events past, Suppa was too much for Nelson Baseball School.

Ritter, who is an uncommitted member of the 2019 recruiting class, struck out six batters in his three innings of work. He flashed a mid to high 80’s fastball that he was able to spot up frequently over the course of his outing.

“I’m just always trying to hit that outside corner. I like to work off my fastball.”

With Suppa and Ritter providing quality innings on the mound it was up to the hitters to find a way to manufacture runs in the middle innings. Team Elite Prime would score their first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Kennesaw State signee Austin Moody. Team Elite would strike again in the sixth, adding what would be the winning run on a laced single to right field from Walters State CC signee Roland Ryan.

While Nelson Baseball School was able to scratch one across in the bottom of the seventh, Jackson “Sonny” Dichiara was able to shut the door, giving Team Elite Prime the victory.

Danny Grillo was named the MVP of the tournament. He batted .643, adding four runs batted in. Grillo has signed with Florence-Darlington Technical College.

Zach McManus was named the MV-Pitcher, striking out 13 batters in seven innings pitched. McManus features a fastball that has been up to 91, and is ranked as the 16th-best righthanded pitcher in the state of Georgia’s 2019 class. 


2018 18u PG East Cobb Invitational champions: Team Elite Prime



2018 18u PG East Cobb Invitational runner-up: Nelson Baseball School



2018 18u PG East Cobb Invitational MVP: Danny Grillo



2018 18u PG East Cobb Invitational MV-Pitcher: Zach McManus
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.