skip navigation

14u Lightning Finish 2nd in Triple Crown Fall Nationals

By Dan Jaffe, 09/19/16, 10:00AM PDT

Share

The LVBA 14u Lightning completed the Triple Crown Fall Nationals, coming in 2nd place in the tournaments Division 2 bracket. After finishing pool play with an 0-3 record, the team entered the playoff bracket at the number 12 seed, having to try to win 3 games on Sunday to take home the championship. In the first game of the tournament round, the Lightning trailed 1-0 to the Cougars Red for a large portion of the game, before breaking through with an RBI single from Lance Carr. The boys held on to win that game 2-1, behind a strong pitching effort from Peter Torbicki for the win, and Frankie Grant walking away with the save. 

In the semifinal game, the Lightning drew a matchup with number 9 seeded 406 Elite (Montana), one of the teams that defeated the Lightning in pool. After the Elite put up a 3 spot in the bottom of the first inning, Lance Carr then came in for relief, tossing scoreless baseball all the way into the 6th inning. In the 6th, Zack Robison was then brought in to shut the door with runners on base. He sealed the Lightning's 7-4 victory, and sent them into the Championship game against the Santa Maria Outlaws. 

After having a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 3rd, the Outlaws came out and put up 3 runs, and would prove to be all they need. The Lightning took home 2nd place, losing to the Outlaws 5-2. However, the resiliency and effort that the team showed after going 0-3 in pool play was nothing short of what the organization asks of its players. For the 2nd tournament in the 14u season, this was a very promising showing. The adjustment to the big diamond is always a tough one, but one that these players showed they are ready for. There is a lot of work to be done, but the performance on Sunday is a great encouragement as we head into the meat of the 14u season. 

Great job guys!