Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2008 Larry Hutson Invitation Champs

The last time the Sharks met the Acworth Warriors, they needed 18 runs and 6 innings to defeat them and capture their first championship of the season.  On this night, these mighty 7-year old Sharks would defeat the Warriors with a stellar defense and clutch hitting to win their second championship in as many tournaments by a score of 11-1.  The Sharks defense took the field first and quickly set down the Acworth batters.  Short stop Kyle Reichert recorded two outs and 2^nd baseman Braedon Bensley caught a high fly ball to hold the Warriors scoreless.  The Sharks were fired up and came out swinging hard in their half of the 1^st inning.  Hits were recorded by Blake Evans, Aaron Bensley, Cameron Anglin (RBI), Kyle Reichert, Jarrett Guest (RBI), Zach Stewart (RBI), and Zachary Elmy (RBI).  The score was 4-0 Sharks at the end of the 1^st inning. 

The Sharks defense would again shut out the Warriors in the 2^nd inning.  Short stop Kyle Reichert recorded 2 more outs and left center fielder Brett Wood caught a fly ball for the 3^rd out.  The Sharks were held scoreless in their half of the 2^nd as well.  Jeff Dismukes and Blake Evans reached on hits, but were unable to score as the Warriors defense stepped up. 

Kyle Reichert was the only defense the Sharks needed in the 3^rd inning.  He continued to frustrate the Warriors hitters with his glove at short stop and recorded all 3 outs, not before the Warriors managed 1 run on a few solid hits.  Reichert also punished the Warriors at the plate as he came up to bat and reached on a single.  A hit by Jarrett Guest and throwing errors by the Warriors defense scored Reichert.  Zachary Elmy recorded his 2^nd RBI driving in Jarrett Guest.  The hit parade continued with Braedon Bensley and Mikey Leanos reaching base.  Brett Wood was up to bat and hit a hard line drive toward 3^rd base which was stabbed by the Warriors player.  The rally ended, but not before the Sharks scored 2 more runs to take a 6-1 lead. 

It was getting late for the Warriors and they were no doubt worried about how they were going to get anything past this Sharks defense.  Their frustrations continued as the Sharks held them scoreless in the top of the 4^th inning.  Pitcher Jeff Dismukes recorded 2 outs on a grounder to him and a pop fly and short stop Kyle Reichert flipped to second baseman Braedon Bensley for the 3^rd out.  Acworth played tough defense in this inning as well, holding the Sharks scoreless.

The Sharks defense continued to shine in the top of the 5^th.  3^rd baseman Cameron Anglin caught a hard line drive and left center fielder Blake Evans made a nice running catch to record the 3^rd out and hold the Warriors scoreless once again.  In the bottom of the 5^th inning, the Sharks were able to put this in the history books.  Kyle Reichert, Jarrett Guest and Zach Stewart (RBI) each recorded hits.  Braedon  Bensley laid down an RBI bunt.  RBI’s were also recorded by Mikey Leanos and Brett Wood.  Jeff Dismukes reached on a bunt.  With the bases loaded and 2 out Aaron Bensley singled up the middle to put the Sharks up 11-1.  With a 10 run lead, the game was called and the Sharks had captured their 2^nd championship of the season and improved their record to 10-0. 

 Final Sharks 11 - 1