The PGF 18U Premier National Championship is exactly 24 hours away (as this is written) and the picture became more defined as to who will be in the title game on Saturday.
At 5 pm PST, there were only four teams left standing; one of these will be the 2013 National Champion:
* So Cal A’s (Winner’s Bracket A undefeated) vs. Texas Glory-Shelton (Loser’s Bracket)
* OC Batbusters (Winner’s Bracket B undefeated) vs. Team Mizuno-Stith (Loser’s Bracket)
Note: we will update the results of these games later tonight and preview the championship which is Saturday at 3 pm PST in Irvine, Calif. at Bill Barber Stadium.
The undefeated teams will play vs. the winners of the loser’s bracket at 5 pm PST tonight and if they win (A’s or Batbusters) then they are in for the championship game.
There may be an 7:45 pm game if the A’s and/or Batbusters lose the 5 pm game. In other words, the loser’s bracket teams will have to win twice, at 5 pm and 7:45 pm, to advance to the championship game.
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There were two big games at 12:30 pm today matching the last four undefeated teams… here are recaps of each:
OC Batbusters 7, Texas Glory-Shelton 0
The game was much closer than the score would indicate. The only run until the bottom of the sixth was a home run by Alyssa Everett (Oregon State) until the Batbusters burst it open late with six runs in the bottom of the sixth when the game was mercy ruled.
The key blow was a two-run double by rightfielder Lovie Lopez (Oregon State) which knocked in shortstop Ruby Rivera (Illinois) and designated runner Rhianna Rich (uncommitted).
Batbuster pitcher Tayler McQuillin went six innings allowing four hits while striking out five and, equally impressive, allowing no walks.
“We’ve played great,” said Head Coach Gary Haning after the game, “and the team has met every challenge so far although our offense didn’t much until late in the game. We had good pitching and defense, which we’ve had all week, that keeps us close until the offense gets going.”
SoCal A’s 4, Beverly Bandits 0
As was the case in the Batbusters win, pitching was the difference and the A’s benefitted from another dominant performance from Delanie Gourley (Florida) who went the entire seven innings allowing only one hit—a second inning double—while striking out six (after recording 17 K’s in a game yesterday).
“I’m giving it my all,” Gourley said after the win, “especially because this is my last week with the A’s and I’m in it to win it. I’m feeling great and I’m going with whatever pitch is working in any situation—last night it was changeup, today it was my curve and riseball.”
The game was essentially over in the first when the A’s combined three singles with two Bandit erros to put across four runs—more than enough for Gourley who has a 0.25 ERA in the tournament this week.
“The quick start was big,” admitted Head Coach Bruce Richardson, “and was something the coaching staff talked about to the team before the game. We need to finish out a bit better, we didn’t put any more runs up after the first and you have to credit Delanie—she’s been lights out all week. We’ll see where it goes next, but if her pitching continues as it has, we can go pretty far.”