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Tuesday, August 12
Elite World Series
The 9u Prospects got their first experience of national-level baseball this past weekend and the team left with a desire for more. It was a tough tournament in all aspects as (24) of the best teams around the country convened on Disney's Wide World of Sports to show their stuff. Even though the team didn't win any games, there was a definite feel that they aren't far from making an impact in the future. Three of the four losses were to teams that made it to the quarterfinals. It all started with a 16-2 defeat to the hands of Edmond Posse out of Oklahoma. This team in particular has played together since T-ball and it was clear as to why they have been ranked as high as they have been all year. The second pool play game was against American Avengers out of Texas. The game was well-played even after the boys dug an early hole but managed to fight their way back but still lost 8-5. In tournament play, the Prospects had to face Launch Pad out of Orlando who was the 3rd team in the row that the Prospects had to face that have been ranked in the top 20 for most of the year. Even though the kids had a 7-5 lead going into the bottom of the 7th, poor execution led to an 8-7 loss. The last and final game against Charlotte (NC) Megastars was more like the kind of team we've witnessed all year. Going into the fourth inning and leading 8-6, a coaching blunder forced a forfeit and a loss to the boys thus ending a great year. There was no shame in going without a win considering the competition that the kids were playing against, however, the team isn't far from making an impact for many years to come with the kind of hard work and effort that it takes.
Tuesday, July 15
BPA South State Championship
The 9U Prospects wrapped up their regular season with a runner-up finish at the BPA South State Tournament. Due to the rain, the kids had to play (6) games on Sunday including (5) in a row just to have a chance at the state title. A very good Smithville team put the boys in the loser bracket with a 9-5 win. However, the 9's reeled off three straight for a rematch with Smithville and proceeded to give them their first defeat with a 7-3 victory. The title match was hard fought but the Prospects were on the short end of a gut-wrenching 5-4 loss. When all was said and done, the youngsters played 11 hours of baseball on Sunday. The enthusiam and energy put out by these kids was spectacular and they should be proud of their success. Its now off to Disney to test their skills with the best teams in the country during the first week of August. Good luck guys!!
Sunday, July 6
BPA Firecracker
The 9U Prospects got their first taste of not only BPA baseball but also playing out of the loser's bracket. The kids wouldn't be denied though and came through with great Sunday play to wrap up another tournament championship. Once again, pool play turned out another #1 seed after a 15-0 victory over Mooresville Gold, 13-1 against Twin City and 16-3 against a solid Indiana Longhorns team. Tournament play started out well with another 15-0 win against Mooresville. However, the Longhorns were to follow and they came to play. A great pitching duel took place and the Longhorns prevailed with a 4-3 victory. As a result, the Prospects had to win (4) consecutive on Sunday in order to capture the title. It all started with another 16-0 shutout of Mooresville and a 12-2 win over Twin City. The 9's had to beat the Longhorns twice in warm conditions but revenge was on their minds. A solid 7-3 win forced a final game. The Prospects were digging deep into their pitching rotation and it worked with a commanding 18-6 win and a tourney title. This was a great team effort as (10) pitchers were used and the bats were solid. Great effort boys, keep up the solid play.
Monday, June 30
Oaklandon Bomber Bash
The team upped their record to 32-3 by going 6-0 in the Oaklandon Bomber Bash. Even though the team was short-handed with only (10) players, the boys stayed strong and still came out on top. The Prospects haven't been beaten in pool play all year and this weekend was no different. Three wins of 7-1 over Hamilton Southeastern, 9-4 against Oaklandon and a 9-1 defeat of Zionsville yielded yet another #1 seed for Sunday play. Tournament play started with a 12-0 win over Fishers Express. The second game proved to be much tougher against Patora but the kids scratched and clawed to an 8-5 win. The final game was an offensive explosion as the team broke the game open with 12 runs in the first inning and proceeded to beat Zionsville 13-3 to win the title. This was very much a total team effort as everyone contributed in some way. All (10) players pitched at some point throughout the tournament as pitching depth has been a key for the team's success all year long and it proved itself true to form in Oaklandon.
Monday, June 16
Cincy Flames Summer Classic
The biggest test of the year for the 9U Prospects was a successful one. The Cincy Flames put together a (20) team field with (6) states represented. The talent level was loaded and just getting to the championship bracket would have deemed this tournament a success. Again, pool play was solid as the team went 3-0. The first game was a 13-3 win over Fern Creek (KY) and that was followed by a 13-5 win against a much-improved Tippecanoe Wolfpack team out of Lafayette. Advancement into championship play was guaranteed after an 8-5 win against the Cincy Flames Black (OH) team. Even though the youngsters only gave up (13) runs, it still was only good enough for a #3 seeding. To make matters worse, the 9's had to go through Smithville and Knoxville (tournament favorites) just to reach the championship game. However, the team was up to the challenge and took down a very solid Smithville team 6-5. That loss was only the second time that Smithville had lost to a 9 yr old team. Their first loss was to Knoxville the previous day. Now standing in the way for another tournament championship was that same Knoxville team. Easily the best team the Prospects have played thus far, Knoxville hit and pitched their way to an easy 12-0 win. There was no shame in that loss as Knoxville is one of the better programs in the country and it showed. Regardless of the outcome, a 3rd place finish in such a loaded tournament was a great ending to a total team effort.
Tuesday, May 27
Super NIT
BOUND FOR DISNEY WORLD AND ELITE 24 WORLD SERIES
The 9U Prospects continued raising the bar as they become the first team in the Prospects organization to qualify for the Elite 24 World Series in Disney World by finishing runner-up at the Super NIT in Sterling Heights, MI. This is quite an honor as the Prospects are one of only 24 teams from across the country that are invited to this prestigous event put on by USSSA.
Pool play has been the staple all season and it wasn't any different this time around. An easy 10-1 win against Detroit Baseball Acadmey (MI) was followed by a tough 7-4 win against the Parma Stars (OH). The last pool play game was a hard fought 4-3 win against Michigan Sports Academy (MI). However, that still wasn't enough as the team wasn't able to get the #1 seed for tournament play as the boys gave up one more run than the #1 seed, Beaver Valley.
Tournament play started out with a rematch against Michigan Sports Academy who upset the tournament favorite in extra innings, Detroit Motor City Hit Dogs. This time around proved to be less of a battle as the Prospects came through with a 12-2 victory as the bats came alive and the win secured a trip to Disney. The hits kept coming but Beaver Valley's bats were even hotter and they overcame with a 15-11 win in a slugfest and Super NIT championship.
 | | Prospects & Beaver Valley |
Tuesday, May 20
Start of Summer Slam
The 9U Prospects continued their successful run for the 2008 season. Pool play started with a great game against the Kentucky Mudcats. Their reputation preceded them as the Prospects were prepared to battle to the end. Stellar pitching by Garrett Welch, Owen Callaghan and Brian Skelton yielded a 3-2 win. The second pool play game turned out to be a 12-0 win over the Indiana Mustangs with Tommy Sommer throwing a gem and the bats started to come alive. The last pool play game was a 9-3 win over Edgewood as Daylan Nanny's lively left arm is starting to meet expectations. The 3 wins in pool play provided the Prospects with their fourth consecutive #1 seed. However, the Mudcats were ready to provide a road block to the championship game and it showed but the Prospects overcame with a thrilling 9-8 victory thanks to a clutch hit by Caleb Matthews in the bottom of the sixth for the winning run. The host of the tournament, Pony Express, waited in the wings to take home the title. Daylan Nanny and Garrett Welch followed up their solid pool play pitching by only allowing 2 runs and the Prospects had just enough to overcome a very good Pony Express pitcher to win 3-2. Great job kids, three tournament championships and great preparation for the Super NIT and a berth to the Elite 24 in Disney World.
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Monday, May 12
Battle at Lincoln NIT
Battle of Lincoln NIT
Decent weather greeted the 9U Prospects for the first time this year. It didn't change things though as great pool play yielded another #1 seed with identical 9-0 victories over the Milan Indians and the Middletown Bats. Those wins put the Prospects right into the championship game and they succeeded with an 8-2 victory over Middletown. Pitching and hitting were key in the tournament run which allowed the team to qualify for the USSSA World Series.
Monday, April 21
Legends of Lincoln NIT
Legends of Lincoln NIT
Successful pool play on Saturday yielded a #1 seed for tournament play. The young Prospects started out Saturday with an 11-5 win against Hoosier Hill followed by a 19-3 win over Columbus (Ohio) Big Katz. The big story of the day was that the bats finally started to come alive even though the temperatures were better than the weekend before but still were in the low 50's. Overconfidence of the Big Katz win the previous day proved to be the achilles hill as the Big Katz came through with a 7-4 win in the first tournament game. The bats were alive but the Prospects seemed to hit it right at the Katz every time. A comeback in the last inning made things exciting but still came up short.
Monday, April 14
Bandits Blast
Bandits Blast Summary
The Prospects 9U team stepped up in their first tournament of the year. The team went 5-0 in the (8) team Bandits Blast held at Bandit Yard in Greenfield, Indiana. Garnering the #1 seed after going 2-0 in pool play and following that up with 3 wins in tournament play even though the temperatures hovered in the 40's and wind chill factors in the low 30's with a wintery mix of rain and ice to boot. Pitching and defense were the key cog with the young Prospects outscoring their opponents 52-4 over the tournament run and using 8 pitchers along the way. Great work kids.
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