It was a full team effort and another strong showing this past weekend, as the 8u Lightning battled their way to a 2-1 record in the 9u Pre-Presidents Day Tournament. LVBA faced off with the SN Bruins to start the weekend, in a high scoring five inning battle Saturday morning. Tallying 12 runs on 7 hits, the Lightning offense powered their way to a big 12-11 win in game one, getting the Lightning off to a hot start to the weekend. Leading the way in game one offensively was Derek K (2-3) and JaBron J (2-3), combining for 3 RBI and 4 runs between the two of them. On the mound Dillin T would get the ball, throwing two full innings striking out 4 and allowing 3 earned runs. LVBA ran wild on the base paths in game one, recording 15 stolen bases! Rocco R, Rocco G and Lucas O-S all recorded a hit and a base on balls combining for 5 total runs scored. Rocco G was called upon in the bottom of the fifth to shut the door, and he would do just that, earning a save and securing the one run victory.

Coming off a high scoring win in game one, LVBA would look to continue its hot start in game two as they faced off against the 9u Lake Havasu Scorpions. The Lightning bats would pick up right where they left off in game one, scoring 11 runs in the top of the first inning. LVBA showed off their power in game two tallying four extra base hits; Giovanni G (1-3) triple with 2 runs scored, Lucas O-S (2-3) double with 2 runs scored, Chase L (1-3) double with 3 runs scored and Dillin T (1-3) hitting a 3 run home run for his first of the 8u season. Maverick C (1-2),

JaBron J (1-2) and Derek K (1-2) all added a hit and 2 runs scored. Hudson C and Enzo Z both contributed a walk, run scored, and 2 stolen bases in the 17-12 win over the Scorpions. The Lightning secured their first 2-0 day in pool play with a full team effort in day one, getting contribution from top to bottom and earning LVBA the number 3 seed in the gold division for Sunday.

Playing in the semifinal game of the gold division against CBA Navy, LVBA already had its best finish in a 9u tournament and was looking for more. Game three would be a well-played back and forth four inning battle between the two teams, with LVBA ultimately falling one run short in the end. Sunday morning was everything playoff baseball is supposed to be; in a cold, tight, hard fought game the 8u Lightning came together to compete at a high 9u level. Once again out hitting the opposition, the Lightning offense put up 9 runs on 8 hits and 14 stolen bases.

JaBron J did it all in this one; throwing 2 1/3 innings, striking out 2 and going 2-3 at the plate with a triple and an RBI. Enzo Z (1-2), Dillin T (1-2), Rocco R (1-2), and Derek K (1-2) all had a hit and an RBI on the day. Other notables were Chase L (1-2) double, Rocco G (1-1) base hit and a walk, Lucas O-S (1-3) with a run scored, Maverick C (0-1) with a walk and run scored. LVBA 8u would fall 10-9 in four innings, finishing with a 2-1 winning record and playing in the gold division for the first time at the 9u level. Overall this was another impressive showing and full team effort from the 8u Lightning, who look to continue their success this weekend in the Red, White, and Blue Premier tournament.