CARY, N.C. – On Thursday afternoon against the Dulins Dodgers, the East Cobb Astros allowed 14 runs in a two-inning span to drop into the loser’s bracket at the National Team Championships North Carolina in Cary, North Carolina.

Less than 24 hours later, the Astros flipped the script and topped the Dodgers, 6-1, to win gold for the second consecutive year.

Holding onto a tight two-run advantage in the seventh, the Astros rallied for three runs to extend their lead. Elliott Bray then entered and recorded the final three outs – one via a strikeout – to seal the win for East Cobb.

Cam Collier had three hits for the Astros, driving in a pair of runs and scoring one. Kaden Martin and Alvin Keels also added multi-hit performances for East Cobb. Elijah Jerzembeck tossed six innings of four-hit ball, allowing one unearned run and striking out 10 to earn the win.

Kolby Branch drove in the Dodgers’ lone run. Zach Erdman started for Dulins, pitching three innings and striking out five while allowing two runs.

Key Moments

• East Cobb took a 1-0 lead when it strung together three consecutive hits – from Collier, Charlie Jones, and Dylan Cupp – to open the scoring in the second.
• Collier made it 2-0 Astros in the third inning when he singled to left to drive in Lleyton Lackey.
• Dulins trimmed the deficit to a run after Kolby Branch drove in Dakota Jordan to make it 2-1 in the third.
• In the fourth inning, Michael Gupton plated Kaden Martin with a two-out single to give East Cobb a two-run advantage.
• An RJ Austin sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning gave East Cobb a 4-1 lead before Keels scored on a wild pitch and Collier drove in his third run to put the Astros in front, 6-1.
• After six strong innings from Jerzembeck, Bray set down the side in order to secure the win.

Notable Information

• Dulins entered the game unbeaten in the tournament, allowing just ten runs in five games before Friday’s gold-medal game.
• Jerzembeck tossed 18 first-pitch strikes in his six innings of work.
• Collier had seven hits and drove in eight runs in the tournament.

Social Media

• Stay tuned to @USABChamps_NC on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the National Team Championships North Carolina.