Smith Sets the Tone in Legacy National’s Comeback Victory
Caleb Smith delivered a composed and competitive performance on the mound for Legacy National, tossing 4.0 strong innings in a back-and-forth contest. He allowed just two hits and three runs—only one of which was earned—and racked up six strikeouts. Smith entered the game early and immediately took control, retiring batters with a mix of sharp fastballs and well-placed off-speed pitches. He hit his stride in the second inning, striking out the side, and continued to compete through pressure situations in the third. Despite some defensive errors behind him that led to unearned runs, Smith remained unfazed and kept his team within striking distance throughout his outing. His ability to limit hard contact and attack the strike zone was a bright spot in what turned out to be a close game. Legacy National ultimately rallied late to secure the win, edging out Canes Nation USA 13U in a nail-biting, 6–5 victory. Smith’s strong outing on the mound played a key role in setting the tone and giving his team a chance to close it out.
Cothem Commands Both Sides in Walk-off Thriller
Alex Cothem put together a statement performance in South Charlotte Panthers’ dramatic 6-5, walk-off win over Team Elite, shining as a true two-way force. The right-hander took over the mound with electricity, tossing four strong innings and racking up eight strikeouts while allowing just two runs. Cothem didn’t just stop there, he made just as much noise at the plate. The standout went 2-for-3 with a pair of clutch doubles, consistently finding the barrel and keeping the Panthers offense rolling. His all-around performance set the tone on both sides and played a key role in sealing the walk-off victory.
Brayden Nims Shines in the Scottsdale Dirtbags Second Win at Champs NC
After going down 1-0 in the top of the first inning, Brayden Nims took matters into his own hands to give the Scottsdale Dirtbags an early lead. With an 0-1 count and a runner on first, Nims smoked a line drive to center field that would eventually roll to the outfield wall. Rounding third base, Nims did not stop there as he took full advantage of his momentum and registered an inside-the-park home run to give his side a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Nims reached on a fielder’s choice and came around to score again on a clutch line drive from Justus Sipe. Fueled by Nims’ explosive performance, the Dirtbags rolled to an 8-3 win, powered by their sparkplug who set the tone from the jump.
Team Elite Cruises to 15-1 Run-Rule Win Over Canes Nation
Team Elite came out firing and never looked back in a dominant 15-1, run-rule victory over Canes Nation. The game lasted just three innings, with Team Elite setting the tone early by erupting for 10 runs in a monster first inning. Chris Reed drove in three runs while going 1-for-2, Brooks Minarik added a 2-for-3 day with an RBI, and Tipton Roop chipped in two RBIs of his own. Grady Seay capped off the explosive opening frame with a triple to drive in the tenth run, putting the game firmly out of reach. Canes Nation managed to plate a run in the top of the second, but Team Elite responded quickly with two more in their half of the inning. They sealed the deal in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on multiple errors to push across the final two runs and end the game in walk-off run-rule fashion.
