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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/19/2018

Showtime still alive

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Tyler Russell (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – Showtime Baseball improved to 4-1-1 at the 18u WWBA National Championship with a 5-4 victory over the Louisiana Knights on Tuesday morning. While Showtime still finds themselves needing help to walk out of Pool G victorious, Tuesday’s win keeps the hope of a national championship intact.

Showtime received a great start from Tyler Russell on Tuesday. Russell, who is committed to playing his college baseball at Edmonds Community College this fall, tossed five strong innings, striking out seven batters while allowing just one earned run. Russell did not have his normal command with his high-80s fastball, but was able to make big pitches when his team needed it.

“I just had to try and stay within myself and try not to let the little things get to me,” said Russell. “I did let it get to me a little bit, but at the end of the day I was able to focus and throw strikes and let my defense work behind me.”

Russell is a native of Battle Ground, Washington, and is ranked as the 18th-best player in the state in the class of 2018. Russell was up to 88 with his fastball Tuesday, working mostly in the mid-80s. Russell was also able to keep the Knights off balance with a good slider that was anywhere from 75-79.

Showtime struck first in Tuesday’s action, plating a pair in the bottom of the second. After loading the bases with nobody out, extra hitter Spencer Scott delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring the first run of the game. The runner on second was able to advance to third on the throw, and would come around to score after Caden Stinson delivered a sacrifice fly as well.

The Louisiana Knights would answer with a pair of their own in the third, but Showtime was able to come back for three runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a hustle single from Carter Sutton.

“We had two outs and a runner on second, and coming up to the plate I know I’m a speed guy that just has to get the ball in play,” said Sutton, who was 2-for-2 on the day. “I knew I could beat it out and that's exactly what I did, and we were able to go for three in the inning that turned out to be the difference with two outs.”

Sutton would come in to pitch after Russell, and though the Knights were able to scratch across two more runs in the sixth, Sutton was able to trust his defense and make the big pitch when his team needed it most. While Sutton is new to the mound, he was able to run a fastball up to 87 on the day.

Sutton understands what he has to do to help the team win, and every player knowing their role and playing for the team has helped Showtime reach a certain level of success. For a program that has only been around in the state of Washington since 2000, Showtime is preparing players for college in their 18u division.

“We call our 18u a college prep team, and we try to have that level of intensity all the time,” said Head Coach Jeremy Hertner. “Our workouts are pretty intense, and we’re not shy to get in the kids face because we know that's what he’s going to get the next time. Were looking for a dirtbag kind of mentality; kids that grind it out. We don't always have your prototypical kind of player, but we have a lot of guys that are willing to sell out and I think that's reflected through our play.”

At 4-1-1, Showtime finds themselves in a pool that is loaded with talent. DRB Elite currently sits on top, but still has to play two big Pool G games in the next two days. If Showtime can find a way in to the bracket play, they are hoping to surprise some people along the way.

“We came here with some big expectations, we work hard, and we play a little different style of baseball because we’ve worked together all year. We work a lot of situational things and things that put us in games,” said coach Hertner. “We’re liking where we’re at. We are very proud of what we’ve done so far, but hopefully we can get a little help and go a little further.”
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