Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2009 Kennesaw Klassic Runner-Up

The Sharks got their first look (up) at the Acworth Orange in this 2009 all-star season in the championship of the Kennesaw Classic.  It was a “classic” battle between two amazing young teams, and after 9 innings of play, the Acworth Orange defeated the Sharks 7-8.  In what initially appeared to be a reversal of fortune, the Sharks won a toss and elected to be the home team.  The top of the order for the Orange crushed the ball in the first inning and quickly loaded the bases.  Big #7 stepped up to the plate and took the first pitch over the left-center field fence, seemingly to allow Acworth to jump out to a 0-4 lead.  Unfortunately for the Orange, in the excitement of the moment, #7 did not touch home plate.  As his coach instructed him to do so, the umpire informed the coach that the batter was out and the run would not count.  Sharks were able to shut down the offensive assault following the home run, but trailed 0-3.  Sharks lead-off hitter Blake Evans singled and hits by Kyle Reichert and Jarrett Guest loaded the bases, but the Sharks were not able to get a run across in the bottom of the 1^st inning.

The Sharks defense held the Orange scoreless for the next 2 innings.  Great defensive plays were made from all over the field , including a bases loaded fly-ball out caught by Jeff Dismukes from the pitcher’s mound in the top of the 3rd.  In the bottom of the 3^rd inning, the Sharks bats came alive.  Braedon Bensley led off with a single and hits by Kyle, Jeff Dismukes, Jarrett, and Zach Stewart led to a maximum 5 run inning and a 5-3 lead for the Sharks.

The Sharks maintained their 5-3 lead through the top of the 6^th inning.  With clutch hitting, the Orange put up 3 runs in the inning to take a 5-6 lead.     Needing a run to keep the game alive, Jeff delivered with a “bloop” hit to left field to reach 1^st base.  Brett Wood doubled and Zach Stewart came up with another big hit to drive in Jeff and even the score 6-6.  That was all the Sharks were able to do in the inning, but it was enough to keep the game going…on to extra innings!

Tough defense on both sides held the score at 6-6, until the Orange put up a run in the top of the 8^th.  Sharks were again in need of at least 1 run.  Kyle screamed a ball up the middle and reached 2^nd base, Mikey Leanos singled, and with runners on 2^nd and 3^rd, Jeff “clutch” Dismukes laid a perfect bunt down the 1^st base line to score Kyle.  With the winning run a few feet away, and only 1 out, the Sharks appeared to be within grasp of victory.  Brett popped up a ball into shallow left field, the ball was caught for out #2, and with the signal from the 3^rd base coach, Mikey tagged and attempted to beat the throw to the plate.  Unfortunately, the Orange made a perfect throw from left field and he was unable to slide in under the tag, so it was on to the 9^th inning with the score tied at 7-7!