Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2009 Lake City Champs

The Sharks and the Shaw Park Predators faced off for a second time @ Lake City in the Championship Game!  With gray skies and rain falling, play began.  The Sharks picked up the bats first and came out slugging.             

The afternoon rain didn’t dampen the Sharks bats or the chants from the dug out.  With pounding hits from Blake, Kyle, Mikey, Jeff and good hands on a bunt from Braedon, the Sharks got out to a 4-0 lead after their at bat.  Matthew’s quick reaction and throw to Zachary E @ first, followed by two relays from Kyle (SS) to Braedon (2^nd)  gave the Sharks the 3 outs in the bottom of the first and kept the Predators scoreless.              

With rain falling fast and hard, play continued.  Despite a beautiful center grounder from Aaron and solid single turned into a double by Blake, the Predators held the Sharks to no runs in the second.  The Sharks returned the “favor” in the bottom of the second holding the Predators to no runs.  Jeff caught a tricky pop up at pitcher and Jarrett got in on two outs with a well placed throw to Braedon @ second and good glove on a throw from Kyle for a force out at third for the third out.  Sharks lead 4-0 after two innings.        The third opened with two hard hit singles from Kyle and Mikey and another solid hit from Jeff.  The Sharks were able to keep the momentum going and stretched the lead to 6-0 after their @ bat.  Zachary E. stayed busy at first base.  Mikey made a great stop and a beautiful well timed throw for an out and Kyle was able to stay with a tough ball and get the throw to Zachary for out #2.  Braedon gloved out #3 and the Sharks were able to hold the Predators to just one run.  Sharks lead 6-1 after three innings.       

The Predators answered by quickly ending the Sharks appearance at the plate in the top of the 4^th and by sitting the Sharks down 1,2,3 in the top of the 5^th.  The Sharks answered in kind, allowing only one run in two innings of their defensive action.  The bottom of the 4^th saw 3 great fielding plays by the Sharks.  Jarrett’s well timed and perfectly delivered throw to Zachary E for out #1, Blake’s great fading, running catch on a deep ball to Center L for out #2 and Jarrett’s incredible dive in the dirt and bullet throw to Brett @ 2^nd for out #3! Wow!!        

The top of the 6^th saw solid hits from several Sharks including Mikade, Brett and Matthew allowing the Sharks to tack on one more run.  Sharks led 7-2 as the Predators came to the plate for their last @ bat.  With the brief break from the rain over, the Sharks focused and allowed only one Predator run to cross the plate before coming up with the third out and the Tournament WIN! 2009 Lake City Classic Champs!  Sharks WIN 7-3!  Congratulations SHARKS!