This week the 13u team competed in their final tournament for LVBA.  The boys set out to finish on a positive note and showcase what their years of hard work has produced.

The weekend started Saturday morning against the Player Factory, NV.  The weekend began slowly as the boys gave up an early lead with 3 runs scored in the top of the 1st.  The team answered with a run in the bottom of the 1st and the score remained 3-1 until the boys posted 4 in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 5-3 lead.  Cooper C. had taken over on the mound by that point and after 2.1 hitless innings the team exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the 4th to walk off the field with a 15-3 win.  The offense was led by Sebastian L. who recorded 3 hits, including a 2b and a HR with 3 RBIs.  Brayden S. added 2 doubles, and James O. scored 3 runs out of the leadoff spot.  Robert C. and Vinny R. also scored 2 runs apiece while Tanner T. and Kaleb S. provided 2 hits apiece.

Building off of that momentum, the boys next matched up with the City Terrace Toros, CA.  Unfortunately, another 3 run top of the 1st found the team trailing again.  This time the team waited until the bottom of the 3rd to explode for 7 runs.  Rob C. provided the quality relief in this one going 3.1 innings allowing only 2 runs with 4 K’s.  Braden S. and Horacio B. provided the offense in this one each with 2 hits and 3 RBis.  Christian M. and Kaleb S. each added 2 RBIs as the boys poured it on to win 13-5.

The boys headed into their matchup with the Scottsdale Firebirds, AZ needing a win to clinch a spot in the championship game.  The boys took a different approach in this game and decided to post a 4 spot of their own in the top of the 1st with consecutive RBI hits by Christian M., James O. and Tanner T.  Horacio B. got the scoring going with an early RBI double.  Vinny R., Christian M. and Kaleb S. continued putting pressure on the defense getting on base 3 times apiece.  Devon G. added an RBI single and Brayden S. with James O. combined for 4 hits and 5 RBIs.  Sebastian L., the longest tenured member of the 13u team handled the rest.  In his final start for LVBA, he went the distance with a complete game effort securing the team’s spot in the championship with an 8-3 victory.

In a weird twist, the team’s 4th game was against their eventual opponent in the championship game.  The boys set out to send a message and Horacio B. provided a quality start going 3 innings and left the game trailing 4-3.  James O., Vinny R. and Cooper C. produced RBIs to keep the game close, however, the bullpen faltered late and the team took a 13-5 loss to finish out pool play.

On deck was the championship game rematch with Project X, NV.  The team got going early with a 2 run double by Christian M. in the top of the 1st, however some 2 out miscues allowed our opponents to come back and tie the game in the bottom of the 1st.  Kaleb S. provided yet another quality start on the mound and eventually left in the 5th inning trailing 5-2.  Cooper C. provided a shutdown 6th giving the team a chance to win the game in the 7th.  However, Project X played some quality defense throughout the game including a game ending line drive double play and we took the 5-3 Championship Game loss.

The runner up finish completed our 13u season and the boys will now be moving forward into their high school programs.  It was quite a run for a team that didn’t win a spring game and only had 6 players left just 2 short years ago.  We are extremely proud at the development and loyalty of these players old and new have shown during their time here at LVBA.  We look forward to following their path going forward and wish them the best of luck as they continue their baseball journey.