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10u LVBA goes back-to-back in Winter Blast Tournament

By Eddie Gomez, 12/11/18, 2:00PM PST

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This past weekend, the 10u LVBA Lightning won the 2018 11u Winter Blast Tournament to cap off the first half of their 10u season. Strong defense, aggressive swings, and a scratch and claw team mentality got the job done. In a roster pinch for the weekend, several younger players stepped up and played key roles. Mason D and Ridge O stepped up as 9u players in an 11u tournament and faced a few kids who looked like they could eat them for breakfast. But they made their presence known throughout the weekend and played big complimentary roles when needed. The rest of the 10u roster also dug deep and found multiple ways to pick each other up throughout the weekend.

Game 1 versus the Vegas Forge got the Bolts off to a great start. In their 16-1 route, Cash C 2 hits and Jayson M 2 doubles led the charge along with their 3 RBI’s a piece. Preston P had a 3 hit game… and by that I mean he got hit by the ball 3 times. He wore 3 balls for the squad and found a way to get on base. Cash C and Trevor H also did an awesome on the bump throwing 2 innings each. They filled up the zone and were rewarded with a strong defense behind them.

Game 2 vs the Del Mar Powerhouse was one for the books. They went up against a plus 11u arm with multiple pitches and found a way to come out on top 3-1. Limited to just 4 hits offensively, they scratched and clawed to create opportunities. Brayden L was great for 4 innings while only giving up 1 run on 2 hits. His best play of the night on the mound though was wearing a comebacker off his shin. After being struck, he fought through the play to get the out for his teammates before focusing on himself. That kind of selfless play and team first mentality is priceless. Jayson M followed Brayden’s lead and shut the door throwing a scoreless final 2 innings. Big defensive plays were made by EVERY player in this game. It was a total team effort in a beautifully played ball game. Ridge O put on a base running clinic stealing bags, reading dirtballs, while scoring 2 runs. One off a big hit by Cameron G to CF in which he scored from second after forcing a throw and reading the overthrow perfectly.

Game 3 vs the Spring Valley Stealth was a blast as well. Sawyer V was huge on the hill as he gave everything he had in an attempt to throw 5 innings in a semi-final game.  Down 5-1 at one point, the Stealth fought back and took a 6-5 lead in the top of the 6th. In the bottom of the 6th, Mason D battled off three competitive pitches in a 3-2 count. After fouling off multiple pitcher’s pitches, he got a hitter’s pitch and turned on it knocking a single through the six-hole to get his second hit of the game. Ethan S led the offense going 4-4 and scoring 3 runs. With the game winning run on third, Trevor H crushed a ball to deep center for a walk-off single to send the Bolts to the championship.

A championship Game 4 vs the Redlands Crush was a quick, dominating win against another solid 11u arm. Adjustments were made in the box to a good fastball away and the bats put up a 9-1 victory. Ethan S went 3-3 with two masterful drag bunts. Cash C filled the zone with only one walk in a complete game effort where he only threw 44 pitches in 4 innings.

After a strong a week of practice, an emphasis was set on finishing it with a stronger weekend performance. The boys did just that and defended their Winter Blast championship title. This is a very special group and they put it all on display this weekend.

I am very proud of every one of them.

-Coach Eddie