Last weekend the 11u team competed in the 2019 March Mayhem Tournament.  The team opened up the tournament against the Tri City Venom.  The team goal was to open the tournament strong and they did by scoring 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning taking advantage by being disciplined and drawing walks against a wild pitcher.  The team continued to add on scoring 2 runs in the 2nd and 3rd with RBIs from Santiago W. and Michael B.  The lead was made to stand up with stellar defense including two diving plays at SS by Alfonso C. who added a late RBI double and an outfield assist by Jake M. at home plate.  Eli A. took advantage of the defense on the mound and took care of the rest finishing out a complete game victory of 7-1.

The team had to come right back after weather delays all day to face the West Valley Knights out of Arizona.  The team was a little sluggish offensively, however, starting pitcher Xzavian J. made a 2-1 lead hold up thru 3 innings.  Unfortunately, the team faltered in the 4th and 5th innings and fell behind 11-2 heading to the last inning.  Needing to find an answer to advance to the gold bracket, Brady S. and Alfonso C. drew 2 out walks which allowed Xzavian J. to hit a 2 out, 2 run double closing the distance to 7 and allowing the team to advance into the gold bracket on Sunday.  Overall, the team drew 20 walks on Saturday, but just couldn’t find the clutch hits to do more damage.

The team played the 3 seed Lake Havasu Scorpions on Sunday morning.  The team again came out strong scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st.  New leadoff hitter, JJ S. continued his torrid weekend with a leadoff single, while reaching base 8 of 9 plate appearances over the weekend.  Xzavian J. hit a run scoring double and Kyle J. and Luke L. also provided RBI hits.  Starting pitcher Kyle J. made a 3-1 lead stand up into the 4th with a strong outing, however some miscues allowed the Scorpions to tie the game at the end of 4.  After a scoreless 5th, Xzavian J. hit another double and Kyle J. drove him in with a run scoring single to give the team the lead heading into the bottom of the 6th.  Unfortunately, the Scorpions mounted a late inning rally to take the walk off victory 5-4 and eliminate the 11u Lightning team.

Overall, it was another competitive weekend for the 11u team who are continuing to improve with each tournament.  They have a quick turnaround with the Battle Born tournament on deck for next weekend.