16U National Team Championships NC // Homepage // Schedule & Results (GameChanger)

CARY, N.C. -- Radek Birkholz pitched a gem for the East Cobb Astros and its offense padded a late lead in a 6-1 victory over Florida Burn in the first semifinal of the 16U National Team Championships North Carolina. With the win, the East Cobb Astros (7-0) move on to face Canes National (7-0) in the championship game at 11 a.m. on Coleman Field.

The Florida Burn (5-2) will play Elite Squad (3-1-3) for a bronze medal at 10:45 a.m. on Field 2 of the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Jett Williams led the East Cobb offense on the day, going 1-for-1 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Meanwhile, Thad Ector (2-for-4) and Karson Bowen (2-for-3) collected multiple hits in the semifinal matchup. Marek Houston led the Florida Burn offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate.

East Cobb Astros' starting pitcher, Radek Birkholz, was stellar on the mound, striking out eight batters in 6.2 innings of work. He picked up the win, giving up just one unearned run on the day. Joshua Cone suffered the loss for the Florida Burn after giving up five runs in the final two innings.

Key Moments

• The East Cobb Astros scored the first run of the game on a Harry Ford sacrifice-fly to left-field, pushing Jett Williams across the plate for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
• Florida Burn took advantage of a pair of costly errors by the East Cobb Astros in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1. With Bradley Ramsden on second thanks to an error, Carter Dierdorf dropped a bunt to the third baseman whose errant throw past the first baseman scored Ramsden.
• East Cobb retook the lead on a throwing error by the pitcher in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring Jett Williams from second to go ahead 2-1.
• Bradley Hodges doubled on a fly ball to center field to score Cooper Williams and gave the East Cobb Astros an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, 3-1.
• Jett Williams lined a two-RBI double to left field to score Jackson Brockett score and Bradley Hodges, and Thad Ector followed with an RBI-double of his own to left to bring in Williams for a 6-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning.

Notable Information

• Jett Williams led the East Cobb Astros offense from the leadoff spot, finishing the day 1-for-1 at the plate with two RBIs and three runs scored.
• Thad Ector (2-for-4) and Karson Bowen (2-for-3) collected multiple hits in the game for the East Cobb Astros.
• Houston Marek contributed a pair of hits for Florida Burn, pacing the offense with a 2-for-3 day.
• Radek Birkholz picked up the victory for the East Cobb Astros, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up one unearned run and striking out eight.
• Joshua Cone suffered the loss for Florida Burn, giving up five runs in the final two innings.

On Deck

• East Cobb Astros advanced to the championship game of the 16U National Team Championships North Carolina and will face Canes National. The title game starts at 11 a.m. on Coleman Field and will be streamed on PlaySight.com.
• Florida Burn will face Elite Squad in the bronze medal game at 10:45 a.m. on Field 2 at the National Training Complex. The game will be streamed on YouTube.com/USABaseballTV.

Social

• Stay tuned to @USABChamps_NC on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the 15U National Team Championships North Carolina.