17U National Team Championships NC // Homepage // Schedule & Results (GameChanger)

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            <td align="center"><span class="token token-hyperLink" id="token-CF8DDB649CEE54AC064B4"><a href="https://gc.com/game-5f1661b18a14a9a139449e64/stats" target="_blank">Box Score</a></span></td>
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CARY, N.C. -- The East Cobb Astros scored two runs in the first inning, another four in the second and three in the fourth to take down Elite Squad, 9-1, in a run-rule victory in the first semifinal of the inaugural 17U National Team Championships North Carolina. With the victory, East Cobb booked its spot in the championship game tomorrow, Thursday, July 30, at 10:45 a.m.

With the loss, Elite Squad (2-2-1; 1-1) falls into the elimination bracket and will face the Florida Burn (3-1-1; 1-1) in the second semifinal game at 8 a.m. on Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. The Burn defeated the South Charlotte Panthers (3-2; 0-2) 1-0 in the first elimination game on Wednesday. 

The Astros (4-0-1; 2-0) wasted no time putting pressure on the Elite Squad starting pitcher, Justin Webster, loading the bases with no outs in the first. Termarr Jackson scored the opening run on an RBI-fielder's choice by Harry Ford, and Joseph Mack came around to score on a bases-loaded walk to Treyton Rank for the early 2-0 lead.

The second inning found the bases juiced with East Cobb Astros and no outs once again thanks to three consecutive walks. This time, however, Michael Braswell delivered the big blow as he laced a bases-clearing double to the right-centerfield gap to extend the lead to 5-0. Ford then picked up his second RBI of the game just two batters later with a sacrifice fly to right field for a six-run cushion.

Elite Squad's offense showed signs of life in the top of the third inning after Hector Mangual dropped a one-out double into the left field corner. Ty Hollingsworth advanced to first on a hit-by-pitch and a walk to Jonah Diaz in the nine-hole loaded the bases with one out for the top of the order. Dorian Gonzalez Jr. picked up a sac fly to center to score their first run but East Cobb starter, Radek Birkholz, ended the threat with a strikeout to keep the score 6-1. 

Ford picked up his third RBI of the night for the Astros after he lifted a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence to bring the score to 7-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases before Brant Herring followed with an RBI-single and an Alvin Keels was hit by a pitch to push the score to 9-1. 

Down to their final three outs due to the run-rule, Elite Squad was set down in order by the East Cobb defense in the top of the fifth to end the game.

Braswell (2-for-3), Joseph Mack (2-for-3) and Rank (2-for-2) each finished with a pair of hits and Jackson scored two runs in the leadoff spot after walking three times to lead the Astros' offense on Wednesday.  

Birkholz went the distance on the mound for East Cobb, giving up just three hits and one run, and striking out eight batters in the win. Webster suffered the loss for Elite Squad.

First pitch of the championship game is slated for 10:45 a.m. on Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex on Thursday. Because the playoff is a double-elimination format, an if-necessary championship game is tentatively scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed on PlaySight.com.