Fourth day of pool play games
The final day of games were hectic for some teams, not so for some teams who were already out of the playoff brackets.
American Division
With West Fargo being out of playoff contention with 0-3 record heading into Wednesday, and with Eau-Claire securing a spot with 3-1 record, the battle came down to the game between Bridgewater and Ottumwa.
For Bridgewater, winning the fourth game meant it would secure the top #1 seed, ensuring the players will get a day of rest before the semi final game on Friday
As per the Babe Ruth playoff rules, although Bridgewater and Eau-Claire would both end up with a 3-1 record, Bridgewater would receive the higher seed because it defeated Eau-Claire earlier.
The spot for Ottumwa was already secured because at worst, Ottumwa and Keene would share the same 2-2 record with Ottumwa receiving the higher seed because it defeated Keene earlier.
National Division
Unfortunately for the Rapid City team, it’s Cindarella story came to an end before Wednesday when it owned the 0-3 record.
Even thought Tallahassee owned the #1 seed heading into Wednesday, it managed to defeat a strong team from California.
The real drama was between Bryant, AR (2-1) battling Sandy, OR (1-2) for the #2 (Bryant) or # 3 seed (Sandy)
Notable Game Results
Bridgewater, NJ Mid Atlantic (2-1) at Ottumwa, IA Midwest Plains (2-1)
The home town fan-favorite from Iowa struggled to find groove against the overpowering Middle Atlantic team on a muggy Wednesday 8:30 PM (central) night game when it lost the game 12-4.
Ottumwa IA got things started in the first inning when Maddex Kennedy singled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.
In the top of the third inning, Middle Atlantic tied things up at three. Middle Atlantic scored one run when Matthew Cichocki singled.
Middle Atlantic pulled away for good with four runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth James Kilgallon singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run, Zachary Leon grounded out, scoring one run, and Brad Sweet singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Brandon Kim earned the win for Middle Atlantic. The bulldog went five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on five hits and striking out nine. Kilgallon threw one and one-third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Landon Boney took the loss for Ottumwa IA. The hurler surrendered seven runs on 11 hits over three and a third innings.
Matthew Mitchell led Ottumwa IA with two hits in four at bats.
Middle Atlantic totaled 19 hits in the game. Kim, Leon, Michael Lentini, Sweet, Kilgallon, and Jack Lanum all managed multiple hits for Middle Atlantic.
Bryant, AR Southwest (2-1) at Sandy, OR Pacific Northwest (2-1)
Bryant,AR team defeated the Sandy, OR team 9-4.
Bryant (Southwest) got things moving in the first inning when Braxton Speer drove in one run with a single.
Bryant took the lead for good with three runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth JT Allen singled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs and Speer singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Sandy (Pacific Northwest) put up four runs in the third inning.
Pacific Northwest offense in the inning was led by Brayden Sievertsen and Cole Younger, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.
Hudson Thomason got the win for Bryant. The ace lasted four innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out three.
Max Green took the loss for Pacific Northwest. Green went five innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and striking out six.
Avery Heidelberg started the game for Southwest. The pitcher went three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out eight
Pacific Northwest tallied eight hits in the game. Kobe Sparks and Younger all managed multiple hits for Pacific Northwest. Younger and Sparks each managed two hits to lead Pacific Northwest.
Southwest tallied ten hits on the day. Aiden Stout, Speer, Allen, and Gavyn Benson all collected multiple hits for Southwest. Stout led Southwest with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with six stolen bases.
Reference Links
- Game Changer Recap Story – Bridgewater, NJ (Mid Atlantic) at Ottwuma, IA (Midwest Plains, host city)