On a promising Saturday morning at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina, the 10U Futures Invitational semifinals began with the stakes at an all-time high. Win and you’re in was the mindset of the four teams competing to reach the gold medal game. After the games today, only two teams remain. Catch up on the action from this morning from our action-packed schedule.
TBT Ballers SoCal 2, Original Florida Pokers of Parkland 1 (Semifinal)
In a low-scoring game, the TBT Ballers SoCal were able to hold their two-run first inning to the finish line with some great pitching. Getting 4.1 innings of work from their starter Mattix Edwards, leading his team toward victory, giving up just one run with four strikeouts. Out of the bullpen came Mason Giffis, going the rest of the way with 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing only one hit and picking up one strikeout. An RBI double from Milo Swain started the rally in the first, and Beau Conklin drove home the second run of the inning by way of an RBI single. Late in the game with everything on the line, the Original Pokers of Parkland attempted to steal home with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but were unsuccessful, sending TBT to the gold medal game.
Scottsdale Dirtbags 12, Knights Knation 6 (Semifinal)
Finding the insurance they needed to carry themselves on to the gold medal game, the Scottsdale Dirtbags scored five runs in the last two innings to secure the win. The Dirtbags used nine hits to put up an impressive 12 runs, including a four-run second inning that helped hold the lead for the entire game. Mavric White led the team offensively, scoring three runs, recording a multi-hit game with a pair of RBIs, and helping his team get the win. The bullpen held it down for the Dirtbags, keeping the lead. Jace Fenzel and Jacoby Bowden combined for 1.1 innings, giving up one hit, one run, and combining for two strikeouts, closing out the game and earning a chance at gold tomorrow.
Perfect Performance Outlaws 12, Ghost National 0
The Perfect Performance Outlaws used an incredible 12 hits to put up 12 runs in their shutout victory over Ghost National. With their starter Daniel Brown going a complete game for four innings, due to the mercy rule, only giving up two hits and striking out four. Leland Bingham had a team-high four RBIs, helping lead the way to victory.
West Raleigh 8, Top Tier 0
An excellent start for Bryce Harkin, who went 5.2 innings of no-run baseball, giving up just two hits, while striking out four. The offense used seven hits to score its eight runs, with John Canterbury going 2-for-2 with three RBIs, leading West Raleigh to an impressive win.
DG29 Baseball Academy 3, Vault Boys National 2
Racking up an impressive seven strikeouts, DG29 starter Price Neblett went 4.2 innings, giving up two earned runs, before passing the ball off to David Thomas II. Thomas went the rest of the way holding on to the lead. Going into the bottom of the sixth tied at 2-2, DG29 Baseball Academy walked it off from a Samir Galindo RBI single.
ZT National Prospects 10, Stacked Baseball 1
Using a six-run fifth inning, ZT National Prospects recorded 11 hits on their way to a 10-1 victory over Stacked Baseball. Led by Joshua Goldberg, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with an RBI, the bullpen handled the rest with 1.2 innings of no-hit baseball from Brayden Rust, picking up two strikeouts in the process.
Tennessee Elite 7, Jersey Storm 6
After scoring all seven runs in the first two innings of the game, Tennessee Elite held on to the lead with a hard-fought victory. Trying to strike back for the lead in the sixth, Jersey Storm was able to scratch across one run from a Michael Caruso RBI triple. That was all that came across, with Tennessee Elite surviving the late rally.
Memphis Tigers 12, New Level National 2
Wrapping up today's action, the Memphis Tigers put up 12 runs on 12 hits, getting a mercy rule win in four innings. Titus Watson fired up the offense with a four-RBI day, recording two hits and scoring two runs. The pitching staff combined for four innings, giving up four hits and two runs to keep the game out of reach
The players will wrap up action tomorrow, playing eight games total, including the gold and bronze medal games. With everything on the line, the TBT Ballers SoCal and the Scottsdale Dirtbags will face off to see who goes home with gold at the 10U Futures Invitational. Action starts at 8:00 a.m. ET, and fans can follow along on social media and live stats via GameChanger.
