Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2008 GA State Runner Up

“Oooh,, Aaahh we got Sharks in the House!!!” … This was the chant that could be heard from the Sharks dugout as the OP 7u Sharks took the fields tonight in the last evening of play at the Dizzy Dean 7u Georgia State Tournament.  After a late afternoon heavy rain storm, the Boynton field crews took to the water logged fields to get things ready for the nights’ action.  The games went on with just an hour delay on the original 6pm start time.

Game 1 – Sharks Send Stingers Home

The Sharks faced off against the Canton Stingers on rain soaked fields.   Each team wanted to win the first game and make their way to the Championship round.  The Sharks got off to a strong start by sending the Stingers down in 1,2,3 order and fired up their bats early as well by scoring 3 runs in the bottom half of the first.  The Stingers responded in the top of the 2^nd with 3 runs to level the score 3-3.  The Sharks returned to the plate and hammered the ball adding 3 more runs to bring the score to 6-3 Sharks after the first two innings.  Both teams’ defense held strong in the third and the game remained at 6-3 Sharks heading into the 4^th inning.  With emotions and chants running full steam ahead, the Stingers brought in two runs in the 4^th to edge closer but the Sharks were able to put on another run in their at bat closing the 4^th inning 7-5 Sharks.  The Stingers added only one additional run in the 5^th and managed to hold the Sharks scoreless.  Top of the 6^th inning found the Sharks up 7-6 and 7-6 would be the game final after a beautiful defensive effort to close the game out.  One down – two to go – Go Sharks Go! 

 Game 2 – Sharks Crush Acworth Orange

After a brief break in the action, the Sharks returned to the field to face the Acworth Orange Warriors.  Under cloudy skies and bright field lights, the second game began with both teams swinging away.  With the score 3-2 Acworth after 1 ½ innings, the Sharks pounded away and earned 4 runs to break ahead 7-3.  The Sharks held the Warriors to just one run in the top of the third and tacked on 4 more to bring the game to 11-4 Sharks.  Both teams allowed 2 runs in the 4^th inning and the Sharks went into the field to start the 5^th inning leading 13-6.  The SHARK BALL Defense held the Warriors to just one run and the BATS cracked as the Sharks’ hits and awesome base running brought in the runs needed to end the game 15-7!! Two down – one to go- Go SHARKS GO!!!

Game 3 – SHARKS FINISH RUNNER UP!!!!

The clouds thickened and the rain drops fell as the Sharks and the Warriors returned for the final game of the evening.  Both the Sharks and the Warriors hit the ball well, the Warriors bats managed to find more holes than the Sharks and they jumped out to an early lead and were up 10-1 over the Sharks by the end of the third inning.  The Sharks were determined and tough and fought hard!!  They scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 4^th to narrow the gap to 10-7.   The Acworth Orange continued their offensive by punching in two more runs in the 5^th and tightened up their defensive effort by holding the Sharks to only one more run in the 5^th.  The last inning began Orange 12-8.  The Sharks hung tough defensively and closed the inning allowing only one more run.  With crowds on their feet and fans cheering, young and adult alike, the Sharks came to the plate for their last at bat.  The bats swung hard and the feet “flew” fast, but the Warriors were able to glove the ball and make the three outs before the Sharks could regain the lead.  Final score 13-9 Acworth Orange Warriors. 

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT!!! 

To face off against two worthy opponents and go the distance in the third game after the long travel and rain delay AND STILL play SHARK BALL!! WOW!!!!    WE are PROUD of YOU!!  Each Shark made great efforts tonight - They All hit the ball well – bringing the heat tonight from bunts to liners to deep center hits.  In addition to their hits, their strong, clean base running tonight really helped bring in the runs.  Their sneak and creep skills kept their opponents guessing and brought in several runs that might not have scored otherwise.  Defensively, it is still just amazing to see what 7yr olds can do.  Aaron had three key outs in R center tonight.  As well as great hustles on deep hits.  He kicked his running into overdrive to hustle around the bases.  Blake pounded the ball through center tonight and made/assisted in 4 outs between deep catches and assists to throw runners out at second base.  His speed in base running and ability to hold the bag (and quick moves back to the bag) was key.  Braedon saw plenty of action at second base.  Whether it was making great stops on fast grounders, to calling and gloving fly balls to being at the receiving end from Jarrett, Blake, Kyle, Cameron, or Brett to get the out – he came with his game face on.  He continued to hit the “stick” well on the long ball and the bunt (which wasn’t easy to do with the grounds soaked conditions tonight).  Brett a.k.a. “FRED” got a work out in L field tonight from several big hitters. Making 5 outs on deep shots, he also was able to make throws in to Braedon, Jarrett and Mikey for assists on outs.  He was consistent in his at bats and had a nice double in the second game of the evening.  Cameron CAN! – Cameron’s key hits included a ripper through center in the first game and a beautiful deep center hit that bounced to the fence in the second game.  He gloved a great hit to R field that helped hold the Warriors in the first game against Acworth and made several hustles and fast throws to second to hold runners from advancing.  Jarrett came to the game with determination and hustle. He took the Sting out of the Stingers in the top of the 4^th inning by tagging a runner on a throw in from L field to receiving a great throw from Zachary E at first to tag a runner for the second half of a double play.  He was on the receiving end of force plays and the front end of bullets to first and second including a great throw from his knees to get a force at second.  His steady, level swing helped the Shark offense with several solid base hits finding holes in center and L field.  Jeff arrived FIRED UP and his constant smile and “pump it up” attitude encouraged the Sharks throughout the night.  From solid hits and bunt attempts to quick feet in the field and at pitcher’s mound, Jeff showed awesome teamwork and made a great play in the top of the 6^th inning in the third game to stop the Warriors offense for the last Sharks out of the night! An awesome catch in deep R center!  Kyle played like a trooper!! Despite a bee sting to his L lower eyelid area that happened at the batting cages tonight, he played with heart and contributed to several outs to Zach E., Braedon and Jarrett, not to mention the 4 outs he made at SS.  His bat found several holes tonight including a ripper to R field and clean center field double to help close out the Warriors in the game 2 tonight.  Matthew’s fast wheels helped him in all capacities tonight.  To beating out the throw at first to hustling to smother bunts to making a great get on a shallow pop fly in the final game of the night.  Those same fast feet helped him hustle to the in field balls quickly and make key assists to Zach E, Jarrett and Braedon.  Mikey got down and dirty!  He made a fierce Shark catcher.  He made every attempt at any foul tip including a great lay out on a ball just out of reach.  He fielded a tough throw in from Brett in L field in the first game against Acworth to tag a runner for an important third out in the 2^nd inning of that game.  His bat swung hard in each at bat including a nice rip through center field.  Zachary E. continued his awesome “Elastiman” skills – scooping, reaching and gloving as many balls as possible while holding the bag to earn outs.  Zachary’s bat found holes for consistent singles and doubles.  Zach S. showed incredible hustling behind the plate in the fierce Shark catcher’s mask also.  With a smile on his face as he headed out to hit, Zach’s fast swing helped the Sharks’ offense to rally in both Acworth games.  He was robbed of a beautiful center line drive by a quick Stinger during the first game.  ALL of the boys on the team came with heart, drive and teamwork and PLAYED like CHAMPIONS!!   CONGRATS SHARKS!!   ON TO THE DIZZY DEAN WORLD SERIES!!! GOOD LUCK SHARKS!!!!