skip navigation

10u Lightning TEAM Battles Back in RWB Premier

By Eddie Gomez, 02/21/19, 9:15AM PST

Share

LVBA’s 10u club got off to a slow start to the Red White and Blue Premier Tournament. Quiet bats and shaky gloves put the Lightning in to a hole early. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The boys came out with a tough-dog like mentality on Sunday and that resulted in the 4 seed giving them the final playoff spot of 9 teams. The goal of getting to Monday was achieved and LVBA fell just short in the semi-championship game.

Day 1: LVBA started off against a well-rounded LV Kaos team. The boy’s bats were quiet and were reduced to 12 strikeouts. An extremely difficult zone was presented by the umpire but the boys were unable to adjust with two strikes as he was consistently calling strike three down and away. Bad umpiring is a part of the game but the bigger picture is learning how to make adjustments when faced with adversity. Hopefully LVBA took something from this experience and grows from it. On top of 12 offensive strikeouts, we committed 4 errors defensively while only allowing three hits.  Justin C (1 hit in 3 2/3 innings work) and Brayden L threw well given the circumstances. The Lighting fell to the Kaos 6-2 as Trevor H, Santiago W, and Brayden L mustered the only hits of the game.

Game 2 against LVR contained very similar storylines. 3 defensive errors and 5 free baserunners via walk or HBP didn’t help the game flow defensively.  On offense, Cameron G hit the lone single while Brayden L and Lincoln M each hit a double. L McClure drove in LVBA’s only run. T Henson threw an impressive 2 innings (1 ER) on the bump and
Jason M also showed flashes of brilliance against an incredibly tough LVR lineup.

Day 2: After a 0-2 Saturday, the Lightning were sent home with a chip on their shoulder. In what was going to be an uphill climb on Sunday; LVBA gave the ball to Cameron G in hopes of turning things around. Cameron G turned in a masterful 6 inning 1-hit gem against the AZ Wolves. He filled the zone walking zero batters on 52 pitches (38 strikes) showing tough times don’t last, only tough people. The defense supported him with just about every player making an impact on defense. Preston P and Lincoln M each made impressive plays in the infield. 7 of 10 Lightning hitters got a base hit in the contest. Austin H roped a base hit up the middle to start the 2nd inning and Jason M followed him up with a 2 RBI double that led to a 4-run inning.  

In a must win game 4, Sawyer V took the mound against the tough rival Golden Spike Pirates. Per usual, he stepped on the bump when it counted the most and delivered. He didn’t have his best stuff but he found a way to get it done grinding out any low moments. Brayden L and Justin C backed him up with diving plays in big spots. The offense chipped away all night and put plenty of pressure on the Pirates. Preston P had a major impact on the offense with 3 stolen bases, 2 runs scored and huge RBI single. Sawyer V also clutched up with an RBI double to help give himself some additional run support in the 5-3 victory. Lincoln M came in and closed the last two innings shutting down any chance of a Pirates comeback giving up zero runs and striking out 3.

It would have been very easy after a 0-2 start for the Lightning to just fold and call it a weekend. But the boys strung together and found a way to get to championship Monday. Up against the 1 seed LVR, LVBA needed to bring their A-game if they wanted to advance. Santiago W took the bump for the Lightning and threw very well. He mixed pitches and locations and kept LVR at bay giving up 3 runs in 2 innings of work. A missed call by the umpire extended an inning and raised Santiago W’s pitch count. Brayden L provided good relief and was then followed by Lincoln M. A few base running mistakes hurt LVBA’s offense. The Lighting hit a few good balls at people but LVR made plays when it counted. Entering the top of the fifth down 3-4, LVBA gave away 3 cheap runs due to errors and misplayed balls. Time expired and LVBA found themselves losing 3-7. It was a great fight but they didn’t bring their A game and came up short.

It was a fun weekend of baseball and the boys showed a lot of fight and grit.