Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2009 Hobgood Showdown Champions

In a classic rivalry game, the Sharks emerged as the victors in the Hobgood Showdown Championship game.  Having advanced by winning 2 games earlier in the day, fatigue was certainly a concern for both teams, but the boys showed amazing heart and determination, each giving it everything they had with every swing of the bat.   The Warriors won the toss and opted to be the home team.  The Sharks were set down in 1-2-3 order by the Warriors and the Shark defense quickly took the field.  Mikey Leanos started things off well for the Sharks with a great catch in left field for out #1.  Out #2 was a gift with a strike out, and Blake Evans made a catch from left center field for the final out of the inning to keep the game scoreless. 

Kyle Reichert sparked the Sharks will a lead-off single in the top of the 2^nd inning.  Jarrett followed with a single and Jeff Dismukes reached on a rare error from the Warriors.  Mikade Johnson drove in the first run of the game for the Sharks with a long sacrifice fly.  With 2 runners on, Aaron Bensley delivered with a bases clearing, chalk-flying triple down the 1^st base line, Mikey Leanos kept things going with an RBI single, giving the Sharks a 4-0 lead.  The Sharks defense held the Warriors scoreless in the bottom of the 2^nd inning, with a defensive highlight from a diving Blake in left center field. 

The Sharks continued the hit parade into their half of the 3^rd inning.  Zach Stewart started things off with a single.  Crushing hits from Blake, Braedon (RBI), Brett (RBI), Kyle (RBI), Jarrett, Jeff (RBI) and Mikade (RBI) resulted in a 5 run inning and a commanding 9-0 lead for the Sharks.  The Sharks continued to play great defense.  3^rd baseman Jarrett gloved a hard hit ball and threw to Mikade at 1^st base for an out.  2^nd baseman Braedon got the 2^nd out of the inning with another grounder and a throw to Mikade, and Mikade took the 3^rd out himself, catching a fly ball at 1^st base (how about our new Shark!). 

The Sharks were unable to score in the top of the 4^th.  The Warriors bats began to come alive, and the Sharks defense gave up a run before Jeff (pitcher), Blake (left center field) and Kyle (short stop) set them down.  The Sharks still held a comfortable 9-1 lead, but were again denied any insurance runs by a tough Warrior defense.  The Warriors earned their name and came charging back in bottom of the 5^th inning, at last finding holes in the Sharks defense and managing 6 runs before the Sharks could get them out. 

Now clinging to a 9-7 lead going into the final inning, the Sharks offensive spark seemed to have fizzled, and things were turned over to the defense quickly.  Tensions were high as the 1^st Acworth batter reached with a solid single.  The 2^nd batter hit a ball that 2^nd baseman Braedon handled, and he stepped on the bag at 2^nd and fired to Zach Elmy at 1^st base for a double play!  WHEW!  The next batter would fly out to Kyle at short stop…and the victory dance began!  It was an exciting ending to an amazing day of baseball for Shark fans.  The boys played their hearts out all day, and were rewarded justly with a well-deserved championship trophy. 

As if things could not get better… the Oregon Park Titans had just captured the Championship in the Silver bracket.  It was an Oregon Park sweep for the 8U Hobgood Championships!  WAY TO GO OREGON PARK!