Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: 2008 Lake City Classic Champions

Way to go Sharks!!!! 

The Oregon Park Sharks captured the Lake City Classic championship in dramatic fashion at Kenworth Park in Acworth, Ga. After winning easily in the early game vs. Hobgood Heat, the 4:00 affair would be a tale of two games. The Sharks were playing the host Acworth Warriors who had every intention of defending their home turf. The Sharks won the toss and elected to be the home team. The first Acworth batter lifted a lazy fly ball into no man’s land between the short stop and left fielder. Just when it looked as though the ball would drop, left center fielder, Blake Evans appeared from nowhere to snag the would be hit. The second Warrior batter came to plate and hit a seed into center field. But just as the Warrior fans began to cheer, second baseman, Braedon Bensley ranged to his right for a circus catch to quickly shift the fan noise to the first base side. The Sharks were in control?

But before you knew it, the Acworth Warriors put five on the Sharks with two outs and for 3 1/2 innings it seemed like it was all Warriors as they staked a 9 run lead on the Sharks. Ordinary seven year olds may have given up, but before the day was out, everyone would know that there was nothing ordinary about these boys. These boys are extraordinary.

They shocked the Warriors by holding their big sticks scoreless for their remaining two at bats. Throws from Kyle Reichert and Jarrett Guest to a stretched out Zachary (the Zach Attack) Elmy were the highlights of the defense.  The Sharks nearly batted through the order in their half of the 5th with clutch hitting and hard base running. The Sharks were down by two going into the home half of the 6th inning. Bret Wood led off the inning with a solid single to left field. Braedon Bensley doubled to right field scoring Wood, but the umpire made him return as time had been called? The Sharks second baseman was unfazed by the call and ripped a double into center field instead (Scoring Wood anyway). Sharks down by one. The only place at Kenworth Park where there was more excitement than in the Sharks fan section was the Sharks dugout. These boys know how important it is to pick each other up and they understand what it takes to win. Bensley would eventually score on a sacrifice and an infield single. Tie ball game in the home half with two outs and a runner on third. Jarrett Guest strolls to the plate. He fouls one off and then takes a good cut at a hard fastball from Coach Jason. It looked to be all he could do to even offer at it. Two strikes. Would there be extra innings? Jarrett served the next offering from the pitcher into deep left center to plate the winning run. Ball Game! Sharks celebrate by congratulating the Warriors for playing a great game, then accepting the championship trophies during an on field presentation and finally by throwing their coaches into the pool during the post game celebration (party at Coach Scott's House). 

18 - 17 Sharks!!!!!

The Sharks also want to congratulate the Oregon Park Ducks for going 4-1 and finishing in third at the Lake City Classic this weekend. Great job guys! Way to go Oregon Park.